Cultivation and Processing of Modern Superfood—Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) in Slovak Republic

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Title: The paper is rather specific for the Slovak Republic and that should be reflected in the title.

Abstract: There is some important information omitted from the abstract.

It is not mentioned that mineral fertilizers are used (lines 176-178). I disagree with the classification of Aronia as a medicinal plant, it's primarily a fruit, a berry, with some desirable properties. Using the term super foods it's very much marketing talk.

Introduction: Too lyric at the beginning (immemorial time), Not supported by reference research (lines 37-44), and too focused on health claims (lines 108-144).

Materials and methods:

No mention of crop protection, aside from mowing weeds, and that is discussed in the results later)

I understand the paper is about the evaluation of investment, but the Gross Margin per year calculation would be a welcome addition.

Results:

Changes in prices are very important for the financial success of the project. It would be very useful to include sensitivity analysis with more details, instead of just mentioning the realization price.

Graphs showing the results of the Monte Carlo simulation should also be included.

 

We shall also consider that the paper is submitted to the journal Sustainability, so sustainability should be well elaborated. This is especially important in two aspects, crop protection, and marketing aiming to reduce non-necessary transport. The problem is, there is no crop protection information, and exporting juice to the USA would cause a lot of GHG emissions that can be avoided if other markets are targeted. Additionally, information about regenerative agricultural practices aiming to support pollinators would be also very welcome.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The subject of the study is interesting and important. However, the introduction must be reorganized. Moreover, I suggest that you improve the description and provide more justification for the important of your study. The English language should be improved to ensure that an international audience can clearly understand your text. Some specific comments are below:

I was looking for the hypotheses and why it's important to carry the study.

Line 9: Add the scientific name after Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa

Line 33: Give some examples of these prerequisites.

Line 38-45: Need references here

Line 57: So, what is the estimated size of small shrubs?

Line 65: Add by after evaluated. Site their work. If I don't know them I will wounder what do you mean or I have to search for it.

Line 76: Need a reference here.

Line 95: I don't know why you repeat this sentence here? Remove it to the paragraph when you introduce the plant or delete it.

Line 122: You don't have to write the scientific name each time under one section. You may do so in each section at the first time only.

Line 122-124: Must have a reference here.

Line 95-133: Most of this part is repeated and unorganized.

Line 148-162: Move this part to be the last part of the introduction. Moreover, change assume to other formal word.

 Line 180: 5 litter per what?

Line 163-195: I was expecting to see a site description here. Most of the info here must be shifted to conclusion part and make a comparison.

 

Although your results are compelling, the data analysis should be improved and comparisons should be clear.

I commend the authors for their extensive data set, compiled over many years of detailed fieldwork. However, the manuscript is unclearly written in professional, unambiguous language. The weakness of this manuscript is that; it is in the writhing style and the aim of the study (as I have noted above) which should be improved upon before Acceptance.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

Thank you very much for making the corrections and the article looks much better now.

Sincerely