Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"Farmer's own decisions outweigh management strategies in reducing pesticide use in apple orchards","authors":"Isis Poinas ,&nbsp;Bertrand Gauffre ,&nbsp;Julien Papaïx ,&nbsp;Manon Denis ,&nbsp;Xavier Said ,&nbsp;Claire Lavigne","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Efforts to reduce pesticide use, driven by concerns over their harmful effects on biodiversity and human health, have promoted alternative agricultural practices. How the farmers combine these practices in conjunction with field features, and the impact of these combinations on pesticide use remains poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aimed to identify orchard management strategies associated with reduced insecticide and fungicide use in apple orchards in south-eastern France. We further examined whether reductions in chemical pesticide use increased reliance on biopesticides, and evaluated the relative contributions of advisory organizations and farmers' identity to pesticide applications.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We collected data from 171 orchards managed by 51 farmers, who provided treatment schedules for 2021–2023. Treatment frequency indices were calculated by pesticide category (chemical fungicides, biocontrol insecticides…), further broken down by product family (copper, virus…), target pest and specificity. We used principal component analyses (PCAs) to identify major patterns in farmer's management strategies, combining both practices (Alt'Carpo netting, irrigation type…) and orchard features (row orientation, length of adjacent hedges…). The effects of these management strategies on variation in pesticide use were then investigated using linear mixed models that included the PCA coordinates of orchards as explanatory variables. Additional models were run to assess the effects of individual practices.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Pesticide use was driven primarily by farmer identity, with advisory organizations and management strategies exerting limited influence. No trade-off was observed between chemical pesticides and biopesticides: orchards sprayed with more chemical pesticides were also sprayed with more biopesticides. The absence of dominant strategies suggests considerable flexibility in orchard management. While some management strategies were associated with lower pesticide use, these effects were mainly attributable to a few single practices. Effective low-pesticide strategies included Alt'Carpo netting, an early variety, a windbreak hedge (all associated with reduced insecticide use), and flood irrigation without sprinklers (associated with reduced fungicide use). Overall, orchards with low pesticide use did not suffer higher pest or disease pressure.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study highlights significant potential for reducing pesticides in apple orchards, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of farmers' decision-making, regarding both pesticide applications and practices implemented at orchard establishment. Future research should further investigate these management strategies, with particular attention to their labor, market requirements and economic viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104609"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734205","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":"From technological fixes to systemic change: Vision-led innovation for Europe's crop farming systems","authors":"David Wuepper ,&nbsp;Niklas Möhring ,&nbsp;Anna F. Cord ,&nbsp;Ana Meijide ,&nbsp;Hugo Storm ,&nbsp;Matin Qaim ,&nbsp;Thomas Heckelei ,&nbsp;Jan Börner ,&nbsp;Hadi Hadi ,&nbsp;Heiner Kuhlmann ,&nbsp;Cyrill Stachniss ,&nbsp;Frank Ewert","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104593","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104593","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>So far, agricultural technologies have mostly been developed to economize on expensive production inputs or to expand production in response to demand. The interplay of these individual, narrow-focused technology developments has profoundly transformed agricultural systems. In particular, economies of scale have led to large machinery, for which fields had to be made larger, more homogeneous, and more regularly shaped. This has considerably increased agricultural productivity, but has also come with considerable costs, such as soil degradation and biodiversity loss. We here propose a new paradigm for agricultural technology development, in which a vision for a more sustainable agricultural system is developed first, followed by the advancement of the required technologies, alongside complementary institutional reforms, policy changes, and novel business models to achieve it. In this paper, we systematically take stock of where we are in this process, i.e., how to identify target systems, what is the current technological frontier in sensing, robotics, AI modeling, breeding, and environmental monitoring, and which policy and business model innovations are now needed to realize the highest economic and environmental benefits at the lowest cost (financially and non-financially). This crucially includes anticipation of risks and the management of trade-offs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104593"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683444","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":"Willing or unable? The cognitive–resource mismatch behind farmers' adaptive behavior under agricultural disasters","authors":"Zhiyuan Zhu,&nbsp;Yongzhong Feng,&nbsp;Binkun Wu,&nbsp;Shuo Zhang,&nbsp;Xu Ma,&nbsp;Guangxin Ren,&nbsp;Gaihe Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Climate-related disasters have become institutionalized risks in agricultural systems, with smallholder farmers particularly vulnerable. Conventional explanations focusing solely on “lack of perception” or “lack of resources” fail to fully account for under-adaptation. Emerging evidence suggests that structural misalignment between risk perception and resource capacity—termed “cognitive–resource mismatch”—is a critical constraint.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study investigates how cognitive–resource mismatch suppresses adaptive behavior, identifies “willing but unable” (high perception–low resource) and “able but unwilling” (low perception–high resource) groups, and examines their differentiated effects on disaster recovery and household heterogeneity.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Using survey data from 3240 households in the Guanzhong Plain, China, we constructed indices of risk perception and resource capacity, and developed a mismatch indicator. Econometric models—including OLS, Ordered Probit, 2SLS with instrumental variables, and Lewbel-IV—were employed, alongside heterogeneity and robustness analyses.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Both mismatch types significantly reduce adaptive behavior and weaken post-disaster recovery. The effect is strongest among female-headed, resource-poor, and disaster-inexperienced households. Results reveal non-linear complementarity between cognition and resources, showing that adaptation failure arises from systemic misalignment rather than isolated individual deficiencies.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The study introduces the concept of alignment-sensitive governance, emphasizing differentiated policies to reduce mismatch. Financial and insurance instruments can empower the “willing but unable,” while behavioral activation and risk communication can mobilize the “able but unwilling.” This framework advances adaptation theory, highlights equity and climate justice dimensions, and provides actionable insights for precision governance in agriculture and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104612"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836966","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":"Soil health and agricultural land suitability assessment of highlands of the Eastern Ghats using geospatial index","authors":"Rakesh Paul,&nbsp;Rangabhatla Saishree,&nbsp;Monalisa Ghadei,&nbsp;B. Anjan Kumar Prusty","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Land Suitability assessment emphasizes integrating the evaluation of biophysical and environmental attributes to determine sustainable land use. Koraput district of the Eastern Ghats, one of India's agrobiodiversity hotspots, lacks studies on land suitability mapping and index-based micro-scale quantification. This study addresses these gaps by developing a novel Agricultural Land Suitability Index (ALSI) integrating soil physicochemical, topographic, and climatic variables.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The study aimed to assess soil health status and to understand its interrelationship with the agriculturally suitable areas through development of geospatial index using hybrid modelling.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A total of 24 soil parameters and derived indices were analysed following standard protocols. Multi-criteria Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used along with the Weighted Overlay Modelling (WOM), incorporating key geospatial indices like Normalised Difference Red Edge (NDRE) and Rainfall Erosivity (R-factor), to derive the index, i.e. ALSI. The said index was developed using the assigned weights and raster values of each variable and socio-economic information, collected through semi-structured interview, were also integrated to establish an interrelationship.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Soil health indicators have shown spatial heterogeneity across the Eastern Ghats highlands<em>.</em> A strong positive correlation (R² = 0.883) between Agricultural Land Suitability and ALSI confirms that soil health is the primary determinant of land suitability. Out of 1078 low suitable grids (1 km² dimension), there exist low (958 grids), moderate (114 grids), and high (06 grids) ALSI categories suggesting localized areas of better potential within a generally unsuitable landscape. A similar pattern was observed in case of the Moderate and High suitability classes. Approximately 70 % of high-suitability grids have shown low to moderate ALSI. This indicates that edaphic factors are controlling the agricultural output in the agrobiodiversity hotspot, along with the influence of climatic and topographic parameters. These areas have been identified as Priority Management Zones, which was also supported by the socio-economic factors, highlighting their implications in site-specific soil resilience planning and management.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The findings provide a region-specific and soil-specific perspective of land evaluation. This approach enables targeted agricultural interventions and land suitability-based strategic crop management. Together, these approaches promote sustainable agriculture in the agriculture-dominated areas of the Eastern Ghats and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104622"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836969","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":"Explaining global variation in life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soybeans and soybean meal: a systematic review","authors":"Nathaniel P. Springer ,&nbsp;Pedro E. Urriola ,&nbsp;Rylie E.O. Pelton ,&nbsp;Aurup Ratan Dhar ,&nbsp;Jennifer Schmitt ,&nbsp;Gerald C. Shurson","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104559","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104559","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Accurate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) estimates of feed ingredients are essential for formulating low environmental impact diets for sustainable food animal production. Numerous studies have been conducted to estimate life cycle environmental impacts of soybeans and soybean meal, but these estimates are highly variable within specific LCA impact categories.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review, summarize greenhouse gas (GHG) estimates, and identify factors causing variability in those LCA estimates for soybeans and soybean meal.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A systematic literature search for relevant publications and databases was conducted. LCA data from 27 studies and databases for soybeans and 22 LCA studies and databases for soybean meal produced in 30 countries were evaluated and summarized. Methodologies used to calculate these estimates were compared and critically reviewed.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>A wide range in GHG emissions estimates were observed for soybeans (−11.4 to 22.0 kg CO₂e kg⁻¹) and soybean meal (0.25 to 6.50 kg CO₂e kg⁻¹). Differences in GHG emissions estimates were due to differences in geographical scale and heterogeneity, land use change, farming practices, allocation factors, exclusion of biogenic carbon, impact characterization methods, and attributional versus consequential LCA modeling approaches.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>LCA methods with higher resolution in geography and farming practices provide more precise estimates of LCA impact hotspots across impact categories. Continued methodological development and alignment of downscaling and uncertainty approaches will make such estimates more useful for industry stakeholders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104559"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145657150","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":"Multi-objective optimization of windbreak systems for sustainable agriculture in arid regions","authors":"Aishajiang Aili,&nbsp;Fabiola Bakayisire,&nbsp;Xu Hailiang,&nbsp;Abdul Waheed","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>In arid agroecosystems, farmland shelterbelts are widely used as green infrastructure to buffer harsh wind environments. By weakening near-ground winds, they curb wind erosion, moderate field microclimates, and can raise crop production. Improving shelterbelt design is therefore a cross-disciplinary problem spanning ecological engineering, micrometeorology, and sustainable agriculture.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>We assess how major design variables, optical porosity, shelterbelt height and width, alignment relative to prevailing winds, and tree/shrub species mixtures, shape shelter efficiency, and how these factors interact to determine overall performance.</div></div><div><h3>METHOD</h3><div>This review consolidates findings from field measurements, experimental studies, and numerical simulations to explain how shelterbelt physical form and biological composition translate into protective functions and agronomic benefits.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Evidence from observations and models suggests that intermediate porosity (≈30–50%) most effectively reduces wind while maintaining a broad sheltered zone, typically reaching ∼20-30 H downwind (H = belt height). Multiple rows and mixed-species belts generally provide stronger erosion control and more stable microclimate regulation than simple single-row designs. Within sheltered areas, evapotranspiration is frequently 10–30% lower, humidity is higher, and temperatures are less extreme, changes that improve crop water productivity and are commonly linked to ∼10-25% yield increases. Because design goals can conflict, effective planning requires multi-criteria optimization that jointly considers wind protection, water demand, biodiversity co-benefits, and economic practicality. Remaining challenges include climate-resilient configurations, drought-efficient and native species selection, AI/ML-supported performance prediction, and governance and incentive mechanisms that improve adoption.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Locally calibrated design rules that reflect regional climate–soil–water constraints are necessary to maximize the long-term effectiveness and resilience of shelterbelt systems in arid farming worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104655"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146110782","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":"Research frameworks in agricultural living labs: A systematic review and comparative analysis","authors":"Maryam Yousefi ,&nbsp;Bettina Matzdorf ,&nbsp;Frank Ewert","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Agricultural Living Labs (LLs) have emerged as a promising approach to foster innovation and sustainability in agroecosystems, addressing complex food system challenges. Despite the growing number of LL initiatives, little is known about the research frameworks that guide their design, implementation, and evaluation.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study systematically reviews peer-reviewed literature to identify and synthesize the conceptual, methodological, and theoretical frameworks applied in agricultural LLs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We developed an analytical framework derived from core LL characteristics to assess how these research frameworks address agricultural context integration, stakeholder involvement, innovation processes, and sustainability outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>The results revealed six research frameworks, each characterized by a distinct analytical focus, including Coupled-Systems Perspective (enabling policy integration), Nexus Approach (cross-sectoral resource management), Participatory Action Research (PAR) (stakeholder empowerment), the Systems Innovation Approach (SIA) (supporting systemic innovation), Design-Oriented Case Study (digital solution design), and Boundary Objects Framework (cross-actor collaboration). These research frameworks play an essential role in structuring LL processes, particularly in defining system boundaries, actor involvement, and pathways for knowledge co-creation. However, our review highlights that in the agricultural LLs, most frameworks lack explicit consideration of economic sustainability or business model development, and few offer structured tools for long-term impact assessment, which can be a key factor for the long-term success of LLs.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study contributes to reinforcing the foundations of agricultural LLs and guides researchers and practitioners to select or adapt suitable approaches for future LL initiatives in agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104629"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880384","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":"Pioneering sustainability in cattle ranching: Colombia’s silvo-pastoral systems as a model for scaling across the tropics","authors":"Stefan Burkart,&nbsp;Sandoval Yate,&nbsp;Danny Fernando","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Colombia’s cattle sector is both a vital economic pillar and a major contributor to deforestation, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. To address these challenges, silvo-pastoral systems (SPS) – which integrate trees, forage, and livestock – have emerged as a sustainable alternative offering environmental and socio-economic benefits.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This article evaluates the potential of SPS to transform Colombia’s cattle industry into a sustainable, inclusive, and financially viable sector. It investigates the economic, environmental, and social benefits of SPS, explores innovative financing mechanisms, assesses the regulatory landscape, and examines market trends to guide investment and policy strategies.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on studies published between 2000 and 2025. The review synthesized 185 relevant documents, including peer-reviewed articles, institutional reports, and government policies. Analysis covered SPS adoption dynamics, scaling strategies, financial modeling, and investment cases, guided by frameworks on technology diffusion, scaling innovation, and sustainable finance.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>SPS significantly enhance productivity and profitability, with potential returns exceeding 20% IRR and diversified income from timber, fruit, and carbon credits. Environmentally, they sequester carbon, reduce methane emissions, and restore degraded ecosystems. Socially, they support smallholders, women, and displaced populations while improving food security. Yet, adoption remains constrained by insecure land tenure, limited financing, and institutional gaps. Effective scaling requires blended finance, enabling policies, and coordinated public-private action.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Colombia’s SPS experience offers a scalable model for sustainable cattle ranching across the tropics. The findings support investors, policymakers, and practitioners seeking climate-smart, inclusive agricultural development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104599"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145645619","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":"Trajectories of change for farmers to integrate agri-environmental practices: A longitudinal study of adoption dynamics","authors":"Aurélie Dumont,&nbsp;Julie Ruiz,&nbsp;Stéphane Campeau","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The adoption of agri-environmental practices (AEPs) is rarely linear. Farmers follow complex trajectories shaped by technical systems, individual perceptions, and broader socio-environmental conditions. Cross-sectional studies often miss this variability, highlighting the need for longitudinal approaches that capture how change unfolds over time.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines the diversity of individual trajectories through which AEPs are voluntarily integrated into system of farming practices. It characterises trajectories across four dimensions—direction, speed, continuity, and extent—using the CIAEP framework (<em>Change towards the Integration of Agri-Environmental Practices</em>).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A six-year longitudinal study (2015, 2017, 2021) was conducted with 20 farmers in southern Quebec, Canada. Repeated interviews documented the integration of three sets of practices: environmentally aligned AEPs, soil conservation practices, and riparian buffer strips. Farmers were positioned within stages of change using the CIAEP framework.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Farmers experienced varied trajectories in the integration of different practices. Soil conservation practices were often marked by setbacks and discontinuities, while riparian buffers advanced more steadily. For most farmers, trajectories were slow, with only a few reaching operationalisation or full integration. Major shifts typically occurred after “trigger” moments when environmental challenges were recognised. Rapid trajectories were observed but rarely sustained; slower, continuous ones were more often associated with partial integration.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study demonstrates the value of longitudinal analyses for capturing adoption dynamics and variability among farmers. It provides methodological insights into change processes and practical guidance for policymakers and advisors: sustained, tailored support aligned with farmers' trajectories is essential to foster durable integration of AEPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104638"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014541","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":"Modeling nitrogen dynamics across contrasting yield zones to close yield gaps in a commercial maize system","authors":"Arpita Sharma ,&nbsp;Rishi Prasad ,&nbsp;Anh T. Nguyen ,&nbsp;Gerrit Hoogenboom ,&nbsp;Brenda V. Ortiz ,&nbsp;Audrey V. Gamble ,&nbsp;Michelle R. Worosz ,&nbsp;Leah Duzy","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in maize systems demands a mechanistic understanding of how nitrogen (N) dynamics interact with climate variability, irrigation regimes, and within-field spatial heterogeneity. Yet, N fate pathways such as leaching, volatilization, and denitrification remain difficult to quantify across diverse zones of productivity under real-farm conditions.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aimed to simulate the fate and flow of applied nitrogen across management zones with contrasting yield stability and water-holding capacity, using a process-based model under long-term weather and irrigation scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The DSSAT CSM-CERES-Maize model was calibrated and evaluated using independent field datasets from two growing seasons across two management zones (MZs) delineated by yield stability. The calibrated model was assessed for LAI, soil moisture, yield, soil N, and N uptake. After model evaluation, simulations were conducted over 40 years (1984–2022) of weather data, categorized into drought, normal, and wet years using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and under three irrigation scenarios: rainfed, 50 %, and 30 % management allowable depletions (MAD).</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Upon calibration, DSSAT CSM CERES Maize showed good agreement between observed and simulated values for crop growth, development, and soil water and N dynamics (NRMSE &lt;15 %), supporting the use of the model for management zone-based N accounting. In 2022 high yield management zone (MZ1) exhibited higher N uptake (305 kg N ha⁻¹) and greater N losses via leaching (16.1 kg N ha⁻¹) and volatilization (33 kg N ha⁻¹), while low yield management zone (MZ2) showed elevated residual nitrate at harvest (60 kg N ha⁻¹) and higher denitrification (6.2 kg N ha⁻¹), indicating lower NUE. The long-term simulations indicated that leaching peaked under wet years (up to 33.8 kg N ha⁻¹), whereas drought years induced maximum volatilization (65.5 kg ha⁻¹). MZ2 required 45 % more irrigation to match MZ1 yields, reflecting soil-based water limitations. Moderate MAD irrigation regimes (50 %) reduced total N losses without yield penalties.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study demonstrates that integrating spatial field variability with long-term climate and irrigation scenarios is critical for diagnosing N inefficiencies and optimizing N use. Mechanistic modeling provides a scalable decision-support tool to design adaptive nutrients and water management strategies tailored to heterogeneous production systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104598"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683398","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}