Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"Nitrogen uptake and leaching from urine and fertilizer applications during simulated grazing rotations of a perennial grass pasture","authors":"Cameron J.P. Gourley ,&nbsp;Sharon R. Aarons ,&nbsp;Michael W. Heaven","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The productivity of grazing-based dairy systems is driven in large part by availability of nitrogen (N) as it cycles though the soil, plant and animal. However, N use efficiency (NUE) is generally less than 40 % with significant N losses attributed to animal excreted N, especially urinary N, due to high N concentrations deposited.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This experiment aimed to quantify N uptake, N transformations, and N leaching losses in a grazing-based dairy pasture and recommend strategies to enhance farm-system NUE.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A detailed experimental field site was established on a perennial ryegrass dominated pasture to measure the fate of N under contrasting fertilizer forms (urea or calcium nitrate) and artificial urine applications (400 or 800 kg N/ha), which aimed to reflect differing cow crude protein intakes. N uptake, use efficiency and leaching losses were determined over an 18-month period during typical grazing rotations and contrasting seasonal conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Pasture yield response and N concentration reflected N rates applied. NUE from urine and fertilizer applications was highly variable and strongly influenced by soil moisture and temperature conditions. N applied increased pasture yields up to 8 months after application. Soil water N concentrations peaked and then decayed to background levels over a 3 to 4-month period, corresponding to N loads applied and soil moisture conditions. Regular urea and Ca nitrate fertilizer applications resulted in nitrate-N leaching losses of 92 and 97 kg N/ha, respectively. N leaching losses from urine treatments ranged from 168 to 735 kg N/ha, representing 21 to 46 % of total urinary N applied. The timing of urine applications was crucial, with over 40 % of urinary N leached when applied during the first half of the year (summer to autumn), compared to less than 21 % when applied in the second half of the year (late winter to spring).</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Grazing-based dairy production systems result in high N loads from urine and fertilizer with highly variable pasture NUE in different seasons, and substantial N leaching. Improving the amount and timing of urinary and fertilizer N inputs is critical to increasing N use efficiency. Optimizing dairy cow N intakes through better balanced diets and restricting grazing and fertilizer applications during periods of low pasture growth are proposed management approaches to increase whole-farm NUE and reduce N losses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104226"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142804514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Legumes and livestock in no-till crop rotations: Effects on nitrous oxide emissions, carbon sequestration, yield, and wheat protein content","authors":"Lisa Matthews ,&nbsp;Johann A. Strauss ,&nbsp;Thorsten Reinsch ,&nbsp;Hendrik P.J. Smit ,&nbsp;Friedhelm Taube ,&nbsp;Christof Kluss ,&nbsp;Pieter A. Swanepoel","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Crop rotation is seen as a ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture’ practice, but there are knowledge gaps around their climate impacts. This is the first direct measurement of nitrous oxide emissions (N₂O) from cropland soils in South Africa.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Assess the production performance, soil greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon sequestration of different crop rotations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Continuous measurement over one year of direct soil N₂O and methane fluxes and analysis of 20 years of historical data on soil carbon sequestration, yields, fertiliser applications, and wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em>) protein content.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Rotations that contained legumes and livestock produced higher wheat (3.5–3.6 vs 3.1 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and canola yields (1.5–1.8 vs 1.3 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) with superior wheat protein contents, while the cash crop only system's protein content decreased by 0.085 absolute % points annually (compared to 0.01–0.05 %). The results suggest a strong crop rotation legacy effect on the accumulation and availability of nitrogen in the soil profile, for both crop growth and N₂O production, where systems which integrated legumes and livestock vs. cash crops only had 0.31–0.42 vs. 0.14 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. All systems showed a significant increase of soil organic carbon of 0.24–0.30 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over the 20-year period.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Legumes and livestock incorporation in crop rotations interact with nitrogen management. Most N₂O emissions occurred after precipitation in the otherwise dry summer, making reduction difficult as minimal management activities occur over this fallow period. A significant challenge in designing N₂O mitigation strategies is the lack of existing N₂O flux datasets needed to develop specific, regional emission factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104218"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transition from chemical fertilizers to sustainable swards: What determines farmers' adoption decisions for clover and multi-species swards?","authors":"Felipe Aguiar-Noury ,&nbsp;Cathal Buckley ,&nbsp;Stephen Hynes","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104202","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104202","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Farmers' transition from using chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer to adopting sustainable alternatives like clover and multi-species swards can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, increase carbon sequestration, improve water quality, reduce dependence on volatile fertilizer prices and imports, and offer numerous other benefits. However, despite efforts to promote the uptake of clover and multi-species swards, adoption by farmers remains low.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study addresses an important literature gap by exploring the socio-psychological factors influencing farmers' adoption decisions around clover and multi-species swards. Specifically, it investigates the determinants of both intentions to adopt and self-reported adoption levels. Unlike the majority of previous studies, adoption is analysed as a multi-stage process rather than a conventional binary decision, providing more nuanced insights into the complex process of adopting clover and multi-species swards.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A survey was conducted with 373 farmers who are part of the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network for Ireland. Focus group discussions helped with the design of the survey. A principal component analysis, based on polychoric correlations, was employed on Likert-scale statements capturing socio-psychological factors. Final components were then used as explanatory variables in separate ordered logistic regressions of intentions to adopt clover and multi-species swards, and in a multinomial logistic regression of self-reported adoption levels.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Findings highlight the significant role of farmers' perceptions in their decision-making processes. Results show that the perceived usefulness of clover and multi-species swards is a significant driver of intentions to adopt and self-reported adoption levels. Conversely, the perceived complexity of adoption is a significant barrier to farmers' intentions to adopt clover. In addition, farmers with more familiarity with clover are more likely to adopt it, and farmers who have already tested clover are more likely to adopt multi-species swards.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>In response to the urgent need to reduce chemical N fertilizer usage in Europe and beyond, this study presents unique insights into the factors that drive and constrain the adoption of clover and multi-species swards. These findings provide valuable guidance for policy decisions, highlighting key factors that must be addressed to facilitate a widespread transition from chemical N fertilizers to clover and multi-species swards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104202"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182028","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 optimised crop-livestock changes that promote higher efficiency and reduced N imports in three French farming systems","authors":"Corentin Pinsard","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>European farming systems depend on synthetic fertilisers and feed imports. In a context of global peak oil and geopolitical crises, it is important to seek increasing independence from input imports and to reduce their environmental impact. This requires better crop-livestock integration, notably at the territorial level. However, this implies contending with the trade-offs related to agricultural production.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The study aim was to explore, at the territorial level, how crop-livestock change can maintain or maximise agricultural production and affect N use efficiency while reducing N imports. This was investigated in three French farming systems characterised by different crop-livestock compositions: field crops (Plateau Picard), intensive dairy cattle and monogastrics (Bretagne Centrale) and extensive ruminants (Bocage Bourbonnais).</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Two multi-objective optimisation scenarios using an evolutionary genetic algorithm were applied to a farming system N balance model. These scenarios reflected two fertilisation strategies: (i) maintaining target crop yields with synthetic fertiliser or (ii) adapting crop yields to available natural and organic fertiliser. The decision variables were types of crop acreage and livestock density, which were systematically varied within a set of agronomic constraints. The optimised objectives were maximisation of crop and livestock production and minimisation of synthetic fertiliser use and imported feed.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>In Bocage Bourbonnais, no matter which strategy was used, both livestock production and crop production with no N imports increased (up to a total of +24 kgN/ha utilised agricultural acreage (UAA)/yr), in particular by increasing the proportion of monogastrics in the herd (median, +25 % with the first strategy). For these production maximums, N waste fell by up to 12.5 kgN/haUAA/yr. In the other farming systems, it was only possible to increase agricultural production (to the detriment of either crop or livestock production) without N imports (a total of +2 kgN/haUAA/yr for Plateau Picard and + 5 kgN/haUAA/yr for Bretagne Centrale). However, N waste decreased only in Bretagne Centrale (−70 kgN/haUAA/yr), with a sharp drop in livestock production (∼100 %). These production increases for the three regions showed up to 150 kgN/ha arable land/yr of symbiotic fixation by legumes.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>For three different farming systems at the territorial level, the results quantified the extent to which crop-livestock changes can lead to greater independence from imported inputs and reduce N waste while maintaining or increasing agricultural production. These results imply that a substantial reduction in N imports will require reconsidering the livestock place in agricultural production and reducing target crop yields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104227"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182518","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":"Assessing farm-level agricultural sustainability in India: A comparative study using a mixed-method approach","authors":"Niloofar Abed ,&nbsp;Masoud Barati Kakolaki ,&nbsp;Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh ,&nbsp;Sabarinath Sankarannair ,&nbsp;Ramu Murugan ,&nbsp;Bankaru Swamy Soundharajan ,&nbsp;Raji Pushpalatha","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Agricultural sustainability in rural India is vital for ensuring food security and livelihoods, particularly for small-scale farmers. Many rural communities exhibit a blend of sustainable and unsustainable farming practices, affecting both their agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of environmental and socio-economic challenges.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural practices within rural farming communities. The goal is to identify weaknesses in resource management and productivity while proposing targeted interventions that promote sustainable practices in line with Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 2.4.1.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A mixed-method approach was adopted, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data through surveys, interviews, and sub-indicators of sustainability. The research modified the FAO methodology for assessing agricultural sustainability and tailored it to local conditions. The Saiful participatory framework was further adapted to ensure stakeholder participation and the inclusion of culturally relevant practices. A visualized indicator framework was also developed to track sustainability progress effectively.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Key findings reveal that while these communities exhibit potential for improved sustainability, critical weaknesses in resource management and land use hinder productivity. The study also highlighted positive elements, such as community-driven initiatives that enhance sustainable practices. The sub-indicator analysis identified priority areas for intervention, and the visualized framework provides a practical tool for monitoring farm-level sustainability. Results suggest the need for region-specific policies to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study contributes to the assessment of agricultural sustainability by developing a locally adapted framework that can be applied across various rural settings. The findings provide insights for policymakers, agronomists, and rural development practitioners, emphasizing the importance of engaging local stakeholders and fostering sustainable practices that align with national and global sustainability goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104223"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182026","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":"Assessing the adaptability of agronomic landscape to climate change at watershed scale","authors":"Renjian Qiu ,&nbsp;Haifeng Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>A region's agricultural practices, particularly farmers' choices regarding plowing and planting, influence the adaptability of croplands to climate change. However, the role of these agronomic landscapes in mediating cropland responses to diverse climate conditions remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study evaluates a typical watershed in Northeast China. We continuously tracked shifts in crop distribution patterns and associated field yield to determine how agronomic landscapes impacted cropland productivity during both dry and wet years.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Object-oriented methods were employed to extract field boundaries in a representative sub-watershed. We mapped agronomic landscape patterns based on the following elements: crop type, landscape position, and ridge direction. We then compared field productivity, as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), across various agronomic landscapes and climatic years from 2016 to 2023.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Our findings indicate that cropland productivity is associated with agronomic landscapes. Maize productivity demonstrated an increasing trend from low to high landscape positions; whereas, soybean productivity peaked at medium positions and was lowest in uphill and downhill locations. Specifically, agronomic landscapes reflected by cross ridges at the toeslope exhibited the lowest productivity for both maize and soybeans. In addition, landscapes incorporating soybeans demonstrated greater adaptability to varying weather conditions compared to those dominated by maize. During wet years, landscapes with maize situated in the footslope with strike ridges exhibited higher productivity. In contrast, landscapes incorporating soybeans displayed robust productivity across most landscape positions, particularly in the toeslope with strike ridges. During dry years, landscapes featuring maize in both the footslope with strike ridges and the toeslope with cross ridges demonstrated greater productivity. Similarly, landscapes with soybeans distributed throughout the watershed, especially in the footslope with cross ridges and toeslope with strike ridges, exhibited higher yields.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Our findings highlight the crucial role of optimizing agronomic landscapes to enhance the climate resilience of croplands and ensure stable yields. It is thus suggested that the implementation of crop sequences and their spatial arrangement in watersheds should be prioritized to lessen the adverse effects of climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104225"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182024","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":"Climatic constraints behind spatial and temporal variability of wheat yields in the Pampa region of Argentina","authors":"María Elena Fernández-Long ,&nbsp;Santiago Alvarez Prado ,&nbsp;Daniel J. Miralles","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104217","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104217","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The Argentine wheat belt region is centered on the humid pampas, i.e. the main wheat producing area of <!--> <!-->Argentina and is considered at global scale one of the most important in the world for its production of cereals and oilseeds crops. In this whole area wheat is exposed to contrasting climatic conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The main objective was to study, at a regional scale, the spatial and temporal variability of wheat yields in Argentina and its relationship with climatic conditions. We seek to answer 3 questions: (a) How does climate affect the spatial distribution of wheat yields in the Pampas region? (b) What are the main agroclimatic variables that modulate the temporal variability of wheat yields in the Pampas region? and (c) Based on what is identified in “b”, is it possible to determine areas of homogeneous behavior?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A large agrometeorological data base was contrasted with the yield of wheat recorded in the main area of wheat production in Argentina from 1985 to 2021. The CRONOTRIGO (<span><span>http://cronotrigo.agro.uba.ar/</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) model was used to establish the phenology of different wheat cultivars for a range of optimal sowing dates and associate phenological stages to the climatic variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>In the studied area average yield ranged from 1200 to 3600 Kg ha⁻¹, with the lowest and the highest yields in the north and southeast region, respectively. The combination of yield variability with agroclimatic variables allowed the identification of two mega-environments, mainly affected by the water deficits and by the VPD during the critical period, maximum temperatures, and heat shock events during grain-filling period at the west, and photothermal quotient during the critical period at the east. Mega-environment located at the east showed a lower climatic influence over yield variability than that located at the west of the wheat belt. This analysis allowed us to identify homogeneous regions in terms of agroclimatic variables affecting yield variability in wheat.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This information provides insight for understanding the spatio-temporal variation in wheat yield, which will help to reduce yield gaps by adjusting agronomic management according to the main environmental constraint.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104217"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182025","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":"Work in agriculture: A blind spot in reducing pesticide use on dairy farms?","authors":"Julia Denantes ,&nbsp;Anne-Lise Jacquot ,&nbsp;Matthieu Carof ,&nbsp;Carole Ropars-Collet ,&nbsp;Aude Ridier","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104221","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104221","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Implementing alternative practices to the use of pesticides involves work issues that can limit adoption of these practices, particularly on dairy farms. Depending on how practices change, work organization may completely change, additional skills and knowledge may be required, and system complexity may increase, inducing a higher mental workload. This can result in an excessive total workload for already overburdened farmers.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The present study examines whether work limits the implementation of alternative practices to reduce pesticide use on dairy farms, depending on the amount of change the practices require. Three work dimensions were considered: work organization, skills and knowledge, and physical and mental workload.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We used nine semi-structured interviews with crop and livestock experts in Brittany (France's leading region for dairy production) to classify multiple categories of practices by their degree of difficulty and the type of work dimension involved, with a specific focus on three practices: using resistant crop varieties, mechanical weed control and extending crop rotations.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>First, experts emphasized certain alternative practices over others depending on the institution to which they belonged. Second, the need to balance the feeding system and an increase in herd size, which is not compatible with all alternative practices, were barriers specific to dairy farms. Third, all three practices we focused on were skill- and knowledge-intensive, but in different ways. Using resistant crop varieties requires access to the right information, while mechanical weed control raises issues of training, investment or outsourcing. Finally, extending crop rotations, considered as a redesign of the production system, requires obtaining the resources, time and autonomy to think about new rotations.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study shows that, in addition to work organization, other work dimensions are crucial for reducing pesticide use on dairy farms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104221"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors to scale out innovative organic farming systems: A case study in Flanders region, Belgium","authors":"Alba Alonso-Adame ,&nbsp;Siavash Farahbakhsh ,&nbsp;Jef Van Meensel ,&nbsp;Fleur Marchand ,&nbsp;Steven Van Passel","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Sustainability transitions in agri-food systems are expected to reduce their negative environmental and social impacts. On the other hand, Europe demands an increase in the agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. Innovations in agri-food systems, especially in the organic sector, could close the gap in sustainability transitions and the foreseen conversion to organic farming.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>In this study, we developed a participatory agent-based model combined with qualitative scenarios to understand which factors play a role in scaling out innovations in the organic sector and further study potential scenarios in the region of Flanders, Belgium.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Agent-based modeling is a computational simulation environment able to represent complex systems where relevant actors behave and interact with each other. This modeling approach can be combined with qualitative scenarios to elucidate potential futures for a specific context.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>A strong trend for innovative and organic food, available groups of consumers in public institutions for collaboration, subsidies to start up, and a robust farm network can help farms to adopt a sustainable innovative collaboration with public institutions. However, land availability in the Flemish context may restrain this scaling out of farm innovation.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Combining agent-based models with qualitative scenarios in a participatory approach can integrate the expertise of different stakeholders for sustainability transitions. Pragmatically, it can illustrate how a sustainability transition may take place under potential scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104219"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decomposing the total uncertainty in wheat modeling: an analysis of model structure, parameters, weather data inputs, and squared bias contributions","authors":"Jinhui Zheng ,&nbsp;Shuai Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104215","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104215","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The comparison of agricultural models and the conduct of crop improvement research have garnered significant attention in recent times. One of the primary objectives in this field is to pinpoint and mitigate the uncertainties inherent in modeling the effects of climate on crop growth and productivity. Enhancing the precision and reliability of crop models has emerged as a critical concern.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>In this study, we calibrate and validate four wheat phenology models using wheat phenology data from 1990 to 2009. More importantly, we explain three significant sources of uncertainty in wheat phenology models, namely model structure, model parameters, and weather data inputs.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>This study examines four wheat models—the GLAM-Wheat model, APSIM-Wheat model, SPASS-Wheat model, and WOFOST model—to simulate phenological changes across 32 agricultural meteorological stations in the North China Plain. Additionally, the three main sources of uncertainty in the model are quantified using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results indicate that all four wheat phenological models effectively simulate the growth of wheat in the study area, with an average RMSE ranging from 4.4 to 5.2 days for the heading stage and from 4.7 to 5.6 days for the maturity stage. The uncertainty analysis encompasses parameters, squared bias, weather data inputs, and model structure. During the heading stage, the overall contributions of these uncertainties are 8.9 %, 40.8 %, 47.4 %, and 2.9 %, respectively. During the maturity stage, these contributions are 11.2 %, 51.2 %, 35.0 %, and 2.6 %, respectively. Weather data inputs are identified as the primary sources of uncertainty.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study quantifies the uncertainty within wheat phenology models, a critical step towards enhancing the precision and dependability of crop models. Such efforts hold substantial importance in shaping agricultural policies and refining management practices, ultimately aiding in tackling the challenges posed by impending climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 104215"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142758956","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}