Journal Description
Agriculture
Agriculture
is an international, scientific peer-reviewed open access journal published semimonthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, RePEc, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Agronomy) / CiteScore - Q1 (Plant Science)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 1.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2025).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journals for Agriculture include: Poultry, Grasses and Crops.
Impact Factor:
3.6 (2024);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.8 (2024)
Latest Articles
On Improving the Performance of Kalman Filter in Denoising Oil Palm Hyperspectral Data
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202149 (registering DOI) - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
A common drawback of denoising methods of images is that all pixels are filtered regardless of the amount of noise affecting them individually. Since the essence of denoising is lowpass filtering, subjecting clean pixels to denoising results in blurring. In this paper, a
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A common drawback of denoising methods of images is that all pixels are filtered regardless of the amount of noise affecting them individually. Since the essence of denoising is lowpass filtering, subjecting clean pixels to denoising results in blurring. In this paper, a filtering framework is introduced where a fitness function is incorporated in a Kalman filter (KF) to assess the suitability of accepting the value recommended by KF or retaining the existing value of a pixel. Furthermore, a limit on the number of iterations is imposed to avoid over filtering that leads to shrinkage of pixel value ranges of the channels and loss of spectral signatures. In post processing, the means of the filtered channels are shifted to their original values prior to filtering, to spread the pixel value ranges and regain important spectral signatures. The experiments involve the implementation of KF, extended Kalman filter (EKF), Kalman smoother (KS), extended Kalman smoother (EKS) and moving average filter (MAF) in filtering noisy channels of oil palm hyperspectral data under the same framework. Their performances are compared in terms of execution time, SNR gain, NIQE and SSIM metrics. In the second set of experiments, the performance of the improved KF with a fitness function and mean restoration is compared to those of KF and MAF. The results show that the improved KF outperforms the other two filters in the spectral signature characteristics and pixel value ranges of the denoised channels.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence and Digital Agriculture)
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Open AccessArticle
Performance of Post-Emergence Herbicides for Weed Control and Soybean Yield in Thailand
by
Ultra Rizqi Restu Pamungkas, Sompong Chankaew, Nakorn Jongrungklang, Tidarat Monkham and Santimaitree Gonkhamdee
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2148; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202148 (registering DOI) - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an essential legume crop in Thailand, valued for its high protein content and economic significance. However, weed competition can reduce yields by up to 82% if not managed effectively. This study evaluates the efficacy of post-emergence
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Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an essential legume crop in Thailand, valued for its high protein content and economic significance. However, weed competition can reduce yields by up to 82% if not managed effectively. This study evaluates the efficacy of post-emergence herbicides for weed control and their impact on soybean yield. A field experiment was conducted during the 2023 rainy and 2024/2025 dry seasons at Khon Kaen University using a split-plot design with four replications. Weed management treatments included hand weeding, an untreated control, and three herbicides, fluazifop-P-butyl + fomesafen, clethodim + fomesafen, and quizalofop-P-tefuryl + fomesafen, applied to two soybean varieties (Morkhor60 and CM60). Quizalofop-P-tefuryl + fomesafen was found to be the most effective herbicide, achieving 87.66% weed control efficiency (WCE) in the dry season and 72.43% in the rainy season. Hand weeding produced the highest yield (1324.00 kg ha−1), followed by quizalofop-P-tefuryl + fomesafen (1148.90 kg ha−1). Morkhor60 outperformed CM60 in yield and growth performance. These findings highlight the importance of selecting suitable herbicide treatments to optimize weed control and enhance soybean productivity under different seasonal conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diseases Diagnosis and Prevention and Weeds Control in Crops—2nd Edition)
Open AccessArticle
Combined Biological and Chemical Control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Oilseed Rape in the Era of Climate Change
by
Jakub Danielewicz, Ewa Jajor, Joanna Horoszkiewicz, Marek Korbas, Łukasz Sobiech, Monika Grzanka, Zuzanna Sawinska, Jan Bocianowski and Jakub Cholewa
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2147; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202147 (registering DOI) - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
This study investigates the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma asperellum and Coniothyrium minitans against the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which causes yield losses in many plants, including oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cultivation. This research emphasizes the promising alternative of hybrid control, specifically
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This study investigates the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma asperellum and Coniothyrium minitans against the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which causes yield losses in many plants, including oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cultivation. This research emphasizes the promising alternative of hybrid control, specifically using T. asperellum and C. minitans in strategy with synthetic fungicides. In vitro experiments demonstrated that T. asperellum effectively inhibited S. sclerotiorum mycelial growth, especially when combined with synthetic fungicides such as azoxystrobin. Field trials conducted over two years revealed that pre-sowing applications of T. asperellum and C. minitans, followed by fungicide treatments during the flowering stage, significantly reduced plant infection rates and improved both yield and seed quality across different oilseed rape cultivars. The results indicated an efficacy range of 81% to 100% in controlling the pathogen and highlighted the synergistic effects of combining biological and chemical controls. Overall, the research findings support the integration of T. asperellum and C. minitans into sustainable agricultural practices for oilseed rape, offering a viable strategy to enhance disease management while reducing reliance on chemical fungicides. This research underscores the importance of adopting innovative biocontrol approaches to improve crop health and productivity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agriculture and Global Climate Change: Threats, Challenges and Adaptations)
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Open AccessArticle
Non-Contact In Situ Estimation of Soil Porosity, Tortuosity, and Pore Radius Using Acoustic Reflections
by
Stuart Bradley
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202146 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Productive and healthy soils are essential in agriculture and other economic uses of land, depending on plant growth, and are under increasing pressure globally. The physical properties of soil, its porosity and pore structure, also have a significant impact on a wide range
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Productive and healthy soils are essential in agriculture and other economic uses of land, depending on plant growth, and are under increasing pressure globally. The physical properties of soil, its porosity and pore structure, also have a significant impact on a wide range of environmental factors, such as surface water runoff and greenhouse gas exchange. Methods exist for evaluating soil porosity that are applied in a laboratory environment or by inserting sensors into soil in the field. However, such methods do not readily sample adequately in space or time and are labour-intensive. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the potential for estimation of soil porosity and pore size using the strength of reflection of audio pulses from natural soil surfaces. Estimation of porous material properties using acoustic reflections is well established. But because of the complex, viscous interactions between sound waves and pore structures, these methods are generally restricted to transmissions at low audio frequencies or at ultrasonic frequencies. In contrast, this study presents a novel design for an integrated broad band sensing system, which is compact, inexpensive, and which is capable of rapid, non-contact, and in situ sampling of a soil structure from a small, moving, farm vehicle. The new system is shown to have the capability of obtaining soil parameter estimates at sampling distances of less than 1 m and with accuracies of around 1%. In describing this novel design, special care is taken to consider the challenges presented by real agriculture soils. These challenges include the pasture, through which the sound must penetrate without significant losses, and soil roughness, which can potentially scatter sound away from the specular reflection path. The key to this new integrated acoustic design is an extension of an existing theory for acoustic interactions with porous materials and rigorous testing of assumptions via simulations. A configuration is suggested and tested, comprising seven audio frequencies and three angles of incidence. It is concluded that a practical, new operational tool of similar design should be readily manufactured. This tool would be inexpensive, compact, low-power, and non-intrusive to either the soil or the surrounding environment. Audio processing can be conducted within the scope of, say, mobile phones. The practical application is to be able to easily map regions of an agricultural space in some detail and to use that to guide land treatment and mitigation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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Open AccessArticle
Green Manuring Reduces Agronomic Indicators of Fodder Winter Barley Regardless of Fertilization Type
by
Stefan Shilev, Mariyan Yanev, Slaveya Petrova, Nikolay Minev, Vanya Popova, Ivelina Neykova, Anyo Mitkov, Wiesław Szulc and Yordan Yordanov
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2145; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202145 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Due to the intensive cultivation of various crops, the surface soil layer is depleted. This leads to a decrease in fertility, losses of organic matter and nutrients, and an overall decrease in soil health. We aimed to investigate the role of green manure
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Due to the intensive cultivation of various crops, the surface soil layer is depleted. This leads to a decrease in fertility, losses of organic matter and nutrients, and an overall decrease in soil health. We aimed to investigate the role of green manure application and organic fertilization on winter fodder barley (Hordeum vulgare L., Zemela cult.) in terms of agronomic and soil parameters. The cultivation was carried out in two fields, the predecessors of which were oats–vetch green manure (field 1) or fallow (field 2). In each field, five treatments were prepared: a control without fertilization, mineral fertilization, vermicompost, mineral fertilizer + vermicompost, and biochar. The green manure incorporation led to a decrease in grain yield of barley by 10.8–20.0% depending on the treatment. A similar tendency was observed for the rest of the studied agronomic parameters (thousand-grain mass, hectolitre weight, ear number, plants per hectare). Additionally, the vermicompost application had the most substantial effect, accounting for a 20.1% increase compared to the control, while the smallest was expressed by biochar—1.6%. Nevertheless, the photosynthesis intensity was higher in treatments after green manure. The microbiome’s activity was boosted in the vermicompost treatments, while amino acids, carboxylic acids, and polymers were the most fully metabolised compounds by the soil communities. In conclusion, the type of predecessor influenced mainly grain protein, carotenoids, and chlorophyll contents, as well as microbial activities, respiration, and dehydrogenase, while the fertilization impacted primarily on soil water and organic content, total soil N, and photosynthetic pigments of barley plants.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biochar-Based Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture: Feedstocks, Production, and Effects on the Soil-Plant System)
Open AccessArticle
Impacts of Degradable Film Mulch on GHG Emissions in Paddy Fields and Rice Yield: A Case Study
by
Mengmeng Ru, Xiaochan He, Dezheng Shi, Jie Shen, Xiaofang Xu, Jiarong Cui, Zhongxian Lu, Yongming Ruan and Pingyang Zhu
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202144 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Paddy fields are a key agricultural ecosystem for achieving carbon neutrality in southern China, with significant potential to sequester carbon and mitigate emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O. Film-covering is an emerging agricultural technique in rice production
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Paddy fields are a key agricultural ecosystem for achieving carbon neutrality in southern China, with significant potential to sequester carbon and mitigate emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O. Film-covering is an emerging agricultural technique in rice production systems in China. This study evaluated the effects of degradable film coverings on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and rice yield. It provides an assessment of different mulching practices in paddy fields by employing controlled greenhouse experiments as well as field experiments. A key innovative aspect lies in the evaluation of not only different film types but also their varying thicknesses, a factor largely unexamined in previous studies. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted using three thicknesses of biodegradable films (BMs; 0.01 mm, 0.015 mm, and 0.02 mm), one paper film (PM), and a non-film treatment (CK). Results showed that BM treatments reduced CO2 and CH4 emissions by more than 14.01% and 32.17%, respectively, compared with CK in the greenhouse experiment. Additionally, the film-covered treatment increased soil organic carbon content by 32.24–46.66% at rice maturity in the field experiment. These findings suggest that covering rice fields with 0.02 mm BM not only promotes ecological sustainability but also maintains grain yield. These findings provide a viable strategy for environmentally friendly rice production.
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(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
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Open AccessArticle
Non-Invasive Inversion and Characteristic Analysis of Soil Moisture in 0–300 cm Agricultural Soil Layers
by
Shujie Jia, Yaoyu Li, Boxin Cao, Yuwei Cheng, Abdul Sattar Mashori, Zheyu Bai, Mingyi Cui, Zhimin Zhang, Linqiang Deng and Wuping Zhang
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202143 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Accurate profiling of deep (20–300 cm) soil moisture is crucial for precision irrigation but remains technically challenging and costly at operational scales. We systematically benchmark eight regression algorithms—including linear regression, Lasso, Ridge, elastic net, support vector regression, multi-layer perceptron (MLP), random forest (RF),
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Accurate profiling of deep (20–300 cm) soil moisture is crucial for precision irrigation but remains technically challenging and costly at operational scales. We systematically benchmark eight regression algorithms—including linear regression, Lasso, Ridge, elastic net, support vector regression, multi-layer perceptron (MLP), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting trees (GBDT)—that use easily accessible inputs of 0–20 cm surface soil moisture (SSM) and ten meteorological variables to non-invasively infer soil moisture at fourteen 20 cm layers. Data from a typical agricultural site in Wenxi, Shanxi (2020–2022), were divided into training and testing datasets based on temporal order (2020–2021 for training, 2022 for testing) and standardized prior to modeling. Across depths, non-linear ensemble models significantly outperform linear baselines. Ridge Regression achieves the highest accuracy at 0–20 cm, SVR performs best at 20–40 cm, and MLP yields consistently optimal performance across deep layers from 60 cm to 300 cm (R2 = 0.895–0.978, KGE = 0.826–0.985). Although ensemble models like RF and GBDT exhibit strong fitting ability, their generalization performance under temporal validation is relatively limited. Model interpretability combining SHAP, PDP, and ALE shows that surface soil moisture is the dominant predictor across all depths, with a clear attenuation trend and a critical transition zone between 160 and 200 cm. Precipitation and humidity primarily drive shallow to mid-layers (20–140 cm), whereas temperature variables gain relative importance in deeper profiles (200–300 cm). ALE analysis eliminates feature correlation biases while maintaining high predictive accuracy, confirming surface-to-deep information transmission mechanisms. We propose a depth-adaptive modeling strategy by assigning the best-performing model at each soil layer, enabling practical non-invasive deep soil moisture prediction for precision irrigation and water resource management.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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Open AccessArticle
Parameter Identification of Soil Material Model for Soil Compaction Under Tire Loading: Laboratory vs. In-Situ Cone Penetrometer Test Data
by
Akeem Shokanbi, Dhruvin Jasoliya and Costin Untaroiu
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2142; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202142 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Accurate numerical simulations of soil-tire interactions are essential for optimizing agricultural machinery to minimize soil compaction and enhance crop yield. This study developed and compared two approaches for identifying and validating parameters of a LS-Dyna soil model. The laboratory-based approach derives parameters from
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Accurate numerical simulations of soil-tire interactions are essential for optimizing agricultural machinery to minimize soil compaction and enhance crop yield. This study developed and compared two approaches for identifying and validating parameters of a LS-Dyna soil model. The laboratory-based approach derives parameters from triaxial, consolidation, and cone penetrometer tests (CPT), while the optimization-based method refines them using in-situ CPT data via LS-OPT to better capture field variability. Simulations employing Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (MM-ALE), Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), and Hybrid-SPH methods demonstrate that Hybrid-SPH achieves the optimal balance of accuracy (2% error post-optimization) and efficiency (14-h runtime vs. 22 h for SPH). Optimized parameters improve soil–tire interaction predictions, including net traction and tire sinkage across slip ratios from −10% to 30% (e.g., sinkage of 12.5 mm vs. 11.1 mm experimental at 30% slip, with overall mean-absolute percentage error (MAPE) reduced to 3.5% for sinkage and 4.2% for traction) and rut profiles, outperforming lab-derived values. This framework highlights the value of field-calibrated optimization for sustainable agriculture, offering a cost-effective alternative to field trials for designing low-compaction equipment and reducing yield losses from soil degradation. While sandy loam soil at 0.4% moisture content was used in this study, future extensions to different soil types with varied moisture are recommended.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Design and Application of Modern Agricultural Machinery Systems in Cropping Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Projected Heat-Stress in Sheep and Cattle in Greece Under Future Climate Change Scenarios
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Dimitris K. Papanastasiou, Athanasios I. Gelasakis, Georgios Papadopoulos, Dimitrios Melas, Kostas Douvis, Ioannis Faraslis, Stavros Keppas, Ioannis Stergiou, Anastasia Poupkou, Dimitris Voloudakis, Athena Progiou, John Kapsomenakis and Nikolaos Katsoulas
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2141; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202141 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
It is well established that exposure to heat-stress conditions significantly impacts the physiology, health, welfare, and productivity of both sheep and cattle. The aim of this study was to apply the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) in order to assess the impact of future
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It is well established that exposure to heat-stress conditions significantly impacts the physiology, health, welfare, and productivity of both sheep and cattle. The aim of this study was to apply the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) in order to assess the impact of future climate conditions on the thermal stress exposure of sheep and cattle in Greece. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used as a high-resolution regional climate model to simulate climate conditions for two decades in Greece at a 10 Km spatial resolution and a 1 h temporal resolution. The WRF model was applied to two emission scenarios, namely SSP2-4.5 (intermediate) and SSP5-8.5 (worst-case). Projections were made for the near-future decade (2046–2055), with the decade (2005–2014) serving as the reference period for comparative analysis. The data analysis indicated that under the SSP2-4.5 emission scenario, the mean temperature is projected to increase by 1.2–1.4 °C and 1.4–1.6 °C across 38% and 58% of the country’s territory, respectively. Increases higher than 1.6 °C are projected across 32% of the Greek territory under the SSP5-8.5 emission scenario. The mean THI (sheep) and mean THI (adj) (cattle) are projected to increase by 5–10% and by 4% across 74% and 82% of the Greek territory, respectively, when considering the SSP2-4.5 emission scenario. Slightly more severe mean heat-stress conditions were projected when considering the SSP5-8.5 emission scenario. The analysis of the hourly THI values showed that sheep and cattle are expected to experience heat-stress conditions during extended periods in the future, in which hot weather will prevail. Specifically, the number of severe/danger heat-stress hours is projected to double in the greater part of the country. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate-change-induced thermal stress on animal productivity, health, and welfare, the implementation of adaptation measures and best management practices is strongly recommended for sheep and cattle farmers. These measures encompass improvements in breeding strategies, livestock housing and microclimate management, nutritional interventions, and the adoption of precision livestock farming technologies. Given the outstanding economic, social, and environmental importance of sheep and cattle farming in Greece, effective adaptation to and mitigation of climate change impacts represent urgent priorities to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the livestock sector.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Threats Posed by Environmental Factors to Farm Animals)
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Open AccessArticle
Differential Responses of Thai Fragrant Rice to Silicon Application Enhance Yield and Aroma Under Highland and Lowland Ecosystems
by
Benjamaporn Wangkaew, Benjavan Rerkasem, Chanakan Prom-u-thai, Siriluk Toosang and Tonapha Pusadee
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2140; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202140 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Silicon (Si), a beneficial element accumulated by rice (Oryza sativa L.), enhances productivity and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Fragrance, primarily driven by 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), is a key trait in premium rice markets. This study evaluated the effects of Si on
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Silicon (Si), a beneficial element accumulated by rice (Oryza sativa L.), enhances productivity and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Fragrance, primarily driven by 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), is a key trait in premium rice markets. This study evaluated the effects of Si on grain yield, yield components, 2AP content, and Si accumulation in three Thai fragrant rice genotypes—BNM4, BNMCMU, and KDML105—under highland and lowland conditions. Plants received four Si application rates: 0 (control), 168, 336, and 504 kg Si ha−1. Si significantly increased yield under lowland conditions, while responses in the highland were genotype-dependent, with only BNMCMU showing significant improvement at the highest Si rate. Silicon accumulation in shoot tissues was consistently higher in the highland than in the lowland across all genotypes. Nevertheless, Si application significantly increased shoot Si content under lowland conditions. A positive correlation between grain yield and shoot Si accumulation was observed under both environments, highlighting the role of Si in yield enhancement. The influence of Si on 2AP concentration was limited, with stronger effects from genotype and environment especially in the highland, where KDML105 consistently exhibited the highest 2AP levels. In the lowland, however, Si application significantly enhanced 2AP content in BNMCMU and KDML105. These findings underscore the significance of genotype × environment interaction and support precision Si application to enhance both yield and aroma in fragrant rice.
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(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
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Open AccessArticle
Seed Germination Ecology and Dormancy Release in Some Native and Underutilized Plant Species with Agronomic Potential
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Georgios Varsamis, Theodora Merou, Ioanna Alexandropoulou, Chrysoula Menti and Eleftherios Karapatzak
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2139; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202139 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
Within the context of sustainable exploitation of phytogenetic resources, the present study aimed to develop species-specific seed germination protocols for eighteen native and potentially underutilized plant species originating from northeastern Greece. The taxa were selected based on their antioxidant potential and their provenance
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Within the context of sustainable exploitation of phytogenetic resources, the present study aimed to develop species-specific seed germination protocols for eighteen native and potentially underutilized plant species originating from northeastern Greece. The taxa were selected based on their antioxidant potential and their provenance to enhance their regional exploitation potential, thus utilizing the species’ local adaptation traits. To quantify the maximum germination potential in each case, seed viability was assessed using the tetrazolium (TTZ) test. The pre-treatments applied for seed dormancy release included cold stratification and the application of gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin. Germination tests revealed that 9 of the 18 species exhibited high germination percentages in the control treatment (ranging between 64 and 90%) indicating that after-ripening was sufficient for any seed dormancy release in a significant portion of the seed lot. Furthermore, cold stratification and hormonal treatments significantly enhanced germination in seven species (final seed germination up to 85%), indicating deeper physiological dormancy and confirming the role of cold stratification and phytohormones in dormancy release. Two species showed no germination under any pre-treatment while viable, indicating the presence of more complex dormancy mechanisms. Germination percentages were frequently lower than the corresponding seed viability values, which ranged from 70% to 100%, suggesting that a portion of the seed lot exhibited deeper dormancy throughout. The results showcased species with favorable germination patterns, thus successfully identifying species that can be readily propagated, as well as species that require specific pre-treatments. The study sets the basis for domestication and sustainable use of local antioxidant-rich flora, providing a clear roadmap for the agronomic utilization of the focal species to support the regional bioeconomy.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Seed Science and Technology)
Open AccessArticle
Predictive Modelling of Maize Yield Under Different Crop Density Using a Machine Learning Approach
by
Dragana Stevanović, Vesna Perić, Svetlana Roljević Nikolić, Violeta Mickovski Stefanović, Violeta Oro, Marijenka Tabaković and Ljubiša Kolarić
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2138; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202138 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
In the face of increasing climate variability, understanding the dynamics of plant-to-plant interactions within crops is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to examine plant responses to varying intensities of inter-plant competition, induced bz different planting densities, to enhance the accuracy of future
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In the face of increasing climate variability, understanding the dynamics of plant-to-plant interactions within crops is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to examine plant responses to varying intensities of inter-plant competition, induced bz different planting densities, to enhance the accuracy of future yield prediction models. Six hybrids were grown at three planting densities (S1, S4, S7). Grain yield and yield components were estimated at four developmental points during grain filling (V1 to V4). These regression models and machine learning (ML) were applied to predict maize production under variable weather conditions. The factor year was the main source of variability, with less favourable conditions in the second year (G2) reducing yield by approximately 1–2%. Lower planting density (S1) improved individual plant development and yield components, while maximum density (S7) resulted in higher grain yield despite reduced individual performance. Hybrid H5 showed strong tolerance to high density, producing the highest yield under S7 conditions. Machine learning models accurately predicted key seed quality traits—moisture, oil, and protein—with performance metrics exceeding 80% accuracy. Specifically, R2 values reached 0.82 for moisture content and 0.77 for oil concentration, indicating strong predictive capability. These findings support careful selection of hybrids and optimal planting density strategies in future cropping systems to increase yield and maintain seed quality in different environments.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agronomic Strategies to Improve Adaptability and Stability of Maize Production Systems Under Climate Change)
Open AccessArticle
Design and Experiment of the Clamping Mechanism for a Horizontal Shaft Counter-Rolling Cotton Stalk Pulling Machine
by
Jiachen Zhang, Jingbin Li, Hanlei Wang, Jianbing Ge, Zhiyuan Zhang and Hongfa Sun
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2137; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202137 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
To address the issues of high stalk breakage rate and the mismatch between extraction force and operational speed in current horizontal shaft counter-rolling cotton stalk pullers, this study presents a novel clamping mechanism. The mechanism enables precise adjustment of the rollers’ rotational speed,
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To address the issues of high stalk breakage rate and the mismatch between extraction force and operational speed in current horizontal shaft counter-rolling cotton stalk pullers, this study presents a novel clamping mechanism. The mechanism enables precise adjustment of the rollers’ rotational speed, inter-roller gap, and surface topography. The objective is to systematically investigate the effects of these key parameters on the peak extraction force and its timing during the stalk pulling process. Initially, pre-compressed cotton stalks were employed as test specimens. Their tensile properties post-compression were investigated by simulating the extraction forces using a universal testing machine. Subsequently, the structural design of the critical components for the test rig was created based on these experimental findings. Theoretical analysis identified the surface texture of the clamping rollers, their rotational speed, and the clamping gap as the primary experimental factors. The effects of these factors on the peak extraction force and its timing were analyzed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results indicated that the optimal combination—striped surface texture for both rollers, a speed of 220 rpm, and a zero gap—yielded a time to peak force of 0.05 s and a peak force of 710.77 N, which is significantly below the measured tensile strength limit of 994.60 N for compressed stalks. This indicates that the designed clamping device for the horizontal shaft counter-rolling cotton stalk extraction machine achieves faster extraction speed while ensuring stalk integrity, and the research results can provide theoretical foundation and design guidance for the development of horizontal shaft counter-rolling cotton stalk extraction machinery.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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Optimization and Experiment on Parameters for Potato Peeling Using Waterjet Based on Fluid–Structure Interaction
by
Yifan Shi, Hongnan Hu, Shiang Zhang, Lixue Zhu, Yingbo Wang, Gaofeng Cao and Qingyu Zhan
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2136; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202136 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
To address the prominent issues in current potato peeling processes (such as high labor intensity, excessive flesh loss, hard-to-remove peel from bud eyes/concaves), a non-contact waterjet method was proposed. Based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, the Fluent software was used to
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To address the prominent issues in current potato peeling processes (such as high labor intensity, excessive flesh loss, hard-to-remove peel from bud eyes/concaves), a non-contact waterjet method was proposed. Based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, the Fluent software was used to simulate and analyze the flow field of fan-shaped nozzle models with different slot angles. The simulation results indicated that the 25° scattering angle nozzle had excellent performance: it ensured effective potato surface coverage and minimized jet energy loss, fitting peeling needs. A one-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI) model of the nozzle–potato system was built to study waterjet–potato mechanical interactions. Surface stress distribution under waterjet impact was analyzed, and jet dynamic pressure was mapped to solid stress via FSI interface load transfer. Simulations revealed that with a 25° scattering angle, 200 mm standoff distance, and 5 MPa pressure, the maximum shear stress at potato surface characteristic points was 0.032 MPa—within the 0.025–0.04 MPa target range and matching potato skin–substrate peeling strength threshold. This confirmed the energy–mechanical response coordination, validated by experiments. The research results can provide an effective technical reference for potato peeling processing.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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Open AccessReview
The Intelligentization Process of Agricultural Greenhouse: A Review of Control Strategies and Modeling Techniques
by
Kangji Li, Jialu Shi, Chenglei Hu and Wenping Xue
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2135; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202135 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
With the increasing demand for sustainable food production, the facility agriculture is progressively developing towards automation and intelligence. Traditional control techniques such as PID, fuzzy logic, and model predictive control have been widely applied in greenhouse planting for years. Existing greenhouse management systems
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With the increasing demand for sustainable food production, the facility agriculture is progressively developing towards automation and intelligence. Traditional control techniques such as PID, fuzzy logic, and model predictive control have been widely applied in greenhouse planting for years. Existing greenhouse management systems still face challenges such as limited adaptability to fluctuating outdoor climates, and difficulties in maintaining both productivity and cost-effectiveness. Recently, with the development of greenhouse systems towards comprehensive environmental perception and intelligent decision-making, a large number of intelligent control and modeling technologies have provided new opportunities for the technological update of greenhouse management systems. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in greenhouse regulation and crop growth control technologies, emphasizing applications of intelligent techniques, involving adaptive strategies, neural networks, and reinforcement learning. Special attention is given to how these methods improve system robustness and control performance in terms of environmental stability, crop productivity, and energy efficiency, which are key performance indicators of greenhouse systems. Their advantages over conventional strategies in agricultural greenhouse systems are also analyzed in detail. Furthermore, the integration of intelligent technologies with greenhouse system modeling is examined, covering both greenhouse environmental models and crop growth models. The strengths and weaknesses of different techniques, such as mechanism, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and data-driven models, are analyzed and discussed in terms of accuracy, computational cost, and applicability. Finally, future challenges and research opportunities are discussed, emphasizing the need for real-time adaptability, sustainability, and cluster intelligence.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Plant Production in Greenhouse and Plant Factory Systems—2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of Pelargonic Acid as a Sustainable Defoliant in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Production
by
Giuseppe Salvatore Vitale, Sara Lombardo, Gaetano Pandino and Paolo Guarnaccia
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202134 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
Cotton production faces sustainability challenges due to the lack of effective sustainable defoliants for mechanical harvesting, which constrains the expansion of organic cotton (currently 0.5% of global production). In this framework, this study evaluated pelargonic acid, a rapidly biodegradable compound, as a sustainable
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Cotton production faces sustainability challenges due to the lack of effective sustainable defoliants for mechanical harvesting, which constrains the expansion of organic cotton (currently 0.5% of global production). In this framework, this study evaluated pelargonic acid, a rapidly biodegradable compound, as a sustainable defoliant alternative, comparing it with the synthetic pyraflufen-ethyl and a water placebo. A two-year field trial (2023–2024) in Sicily, southern Italy, tested three application rates per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Parameters assessed included defoliation efficacy, root diameter, boll number per plant, average boll weight, raw yield, lint yield, and seed yield. Results indicated significant “Year × Treatment” interaction effects on all parameters. Pelargonic acid applied at 16 L ha−1 achieved the highest boll number per plant in 2024, significantly exceeding pyraflufen-ethyl at its label-recommended rate, with treatments at 12 L ha−1 also producing larger root diameters than the synthetic defoliant. Pelargonic acid at 18 L ha−1 in 2023 achieved complete defoliation, matching the efficacy of pyraflufen-ethyl, while the lowest pelargonic rate (12 L ha−1) produced >90% leaf drop across both years. These findings position pelargonic acid as a rapidly degradable alternative to synthetic defoliants, directly addressing a key bottleneck in sustainable cotton production.
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(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
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Open AccessArticle
Optimising Long-Range Agricultural Land Use Under Climate Uncertainty
by
Karin Schiller, James Montgomery, Marcus Randall, Andrew Lewis and Muhammad Shahinur Alam
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2133; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202133 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
To address the difficult problem of maintaining profitable and resilient agriculture under a changed climate, long-term prediction and planning are needed. One approach capable of helping with this endeavour is mathematical modelling and optimisation. Using a temporal framework, this paper outlines a spatio-temporal
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To address the difficult problem of maintaining profitable and resilient agriculture under a changed climate, long-term prediction and planning are needed. One approach capable of helping with this endeavour is mathematical modelling and optimisation. Using a temporal framework, this paper outlines a spatio-temporal agricultural land use sequencer (STALS) model, where feasible climate-aware annual crop land uses are determined for a real-world case study region, the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in Australia. The results of this approach identified desirable transitions in land use and changes in the production system. The analysis revealed two differing possibilities of land use: one with a concentrated crop mix, the other more diverse. However, both suggest higher-value crops, such as horticultural species, will maximise regional economic benefit with comparable minimal water usage under climate change. To maintain regional agricultural economic benefit under reduced water availability and increased temperature, a transformation of land use is needed.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Water and Soil Management Towards Climate Change Adaptation)
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Open AccessArticle
Tillage Effects on Bacterial Community Structure and Ecology in Seasonally Frozen Black Soils
by
Bin Liu, Zhenjiang Si, Yan Huang, Yanling Sun, Bai Wang and An Ren
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202132 - 14 Oct 2025
Abstract
Against the backdrop of global climate change intensifying seasonal freeze–thaw cycles, deteriorating soil conditions in farmland within seasonal frost zones constrain agricultural sustainability. This study employed an in situ field experiment during seasonal freeze–thaw periods in the black soil zone of Northeast China
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Against the backdrop of global climate change intensifying seasonal freeze–thaw cycles, deteriorating soil conditions in farmland within seasonal frost zones constrain agricultural sustainability. This study employed an in situ field experiment during seasonal freeze–thaw periods in the black soil zone of Northeast China to investigate the joint regulatory effects of seasonal freeze–thaw processes and tillage practices on multidimensional features of soil bacterial communities. Key results demonstrate that soil bacterial communities possess self-reorganization capacity. α-diversity exhibited cyclical fluctuations: an initial decline followed by a rebound, ultimately approaching pre-freeze–thaw levels. Significant compositional shifts occurred throughout this process, with the frozen period (FP) representing the phase of maximal differentiation. Actinomycetota and Acidobacteriota consistently dominated as the predominant phyla, collectively accounting for 33.4–49% of relative abundance. Bacterial co-occurrence networks underwent dynamic topological restructuring in response to freeze–thaw stress. Period-specific response patterns supported sustained soil ecological functionality. Furthermore, NCM and NST analyses revealed that stochastic processes dominated community assembly during freeze–thaw (NCM R2 > 0.75). Tillage practices modulated this stochastic–deterministic balance: no-tillage with straw mulching (NTS) shifted toward determinism (NST = 0.608 ± 0.224) during the thawed period (TP). Across the seasonal freeze–thaw process, soil temperature emerged as the primary driver of temporal community variations, while soil water content governed treatment-specific differences. This work provides a theoretical framework for exploring agricultural soil ecological evolution in seasonal frost zones.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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The Impact of Environmental Regulation and Cognition of Manure Treatment on the Resource Utilization Behaviors of Swine Farmers
by
Jianqiang Li, Hongming Liu, Xingqiang Zheng, Wenjie Liu and Huan Wang
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202131 - 13 Oct 2025
Abstract
The resource utilization of swine manure represents a critical pathway for advancing sustainable agricultural development. This study, based on survey data from 509 swine farmers in Sichuan Province, employs the Ordered Probit (Oprobit) model and the Conditional Mixed Process (CMP) model to analyze
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The resource utilization of swine manure represents a critical pathway for advancing sustainable agricultural development. This study, based on survey data from 509 swine farmers in Sichuan Province, employs the Ordered Probit (Oprobit) model and the Conditional Mixed Process (CMP) model to analyze the mechanisms and pathways through which cognition about manure treatment, environmental regulation, and their interaction influence farmers’ behaviors towards manure resource utilization. It further delves into the heterogeneous characteristics of influencing factors. The findings reveal the following: (1) Farmers possess a high level of cognition regarding manure treatment, while environmental regulation is moderately implemented. The principal methods of manure resource utilization focus on recycling to fields and organic fertilizer production, with over 95% of farmers adopting at least one method of resource utilization. (2) Both cognition of manure treatment and environmental regulation significantly promote the behavior of manure resource utilization. There are substitutive or complementary effects between moral cognition and constraint regulation, as well as capability cognition and guidance regulation. (3) Among the farming community, the behavior of large-scale farmers is mainly influenced by moral cognition, whereas non-large-scale farmers are more affected by capability cognition and guidance regulation; middle-aged and young farmers are predominantly influenced by capability cognition, incentives, and guidance regulation, whereas the older generation of farmers is driven more by moral cognition and guidance regulation. Based on these insights, this study proposes targeted strategies for enhancing cognition and regulatory alignment across different groups, aiming to elevate the level of manure resource utilization and promote the green transformation of livestock farming.
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(This article belongs to the Section Farm Animal Production)
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Human Sustainability Capital in Agrotourism: An ESG-Integrated and Emotional Labor Approach with Case Studies from Maramureș and Bucovina, Romania
by
Ramona Vasilica Bacter, Alina Emilia Maria Gherdan, Tiberiu Iancu, Ramona Ciolac, Monica Angelica Dodu, Anca Chereji, Anca Monica Brata, Aurelia Anamaria Morna, Alexandra Ungureanu and Florin Gheorghe Lup
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202130 - 13 Oct 2025
Abstract
Agritourism is increasingly recognized as a driver of sustainable rural development, yet research has often focused on ecological and economic outcomes while neglecting the human capital that sustains service quality. This study introduces the concept of human sustainability capital and links it with
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Agritourism is increasingly recognized as a driver of sustainable rural development, yet research has often focused on ecological and economic outcomes while neglecting the human capital that sustains service quality. This study introduces the concept of human sustainability capital and links it with the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) framework and emotional labor theory, using case studies from Maramureș and Bucovina, Romania. Data were collected in summer 2025 through two surveys: one of 120 tourists assessing satisfaction, challenges, and improvement needs, and one of 45 agritourism hosts and employees examining emotional labor, job satisfaction, and ESG-related practices. Tourists reported high satisfaction with hospitality, food, landscapes, and cultural authenticity but noted shortcomings in infrastructure, activity variety, and crowding during peak seasons. Hosts and employees showed strong motivation and cultural pride, with genuine engagement more frequent than surface acting, yet many reported fatigue, low pay, and limited access to training. Social and cultural benefits were evident, environmental practices were modest, and governance emerged as the weakest pillar. Strengthening governance through professional development, fair labor conditions, and infrastructural support is crucial to maintain authenticity, protect cultural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of agritourism.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Resilience of Smallholder and Family Farms)

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