Agriculture

19 pages, 510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Soybean Hull Pellet Inclusion on Growth Performance and Digestive Kinetics of Beef Cattle Fed Annual Ryegrass Baleage

by Paige N. Tipton, Miriam A. Snider and J. Daniel Rivera

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121359 (registering DOI) - 21 Jun 2026

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of varying inclusion levels of soybean hull pellets (SHP) with annual ryegrass baleage (BAL) on animal performance and digestive kinetics in beef cattle. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), 60 weaned mixed-sex beef calves [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of varying inclusion levels of soybean hull pellets (SHP) with annual ryegrass baleage (BAL) on animal performance and digestive kinetics in beef cattle. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), 60 weaned mixed-sex beef calves were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 0.0%, 0.5%, or 1.0% body weight (BW) SHP with ad libitum access to BAL for 48 days (d). Animal performance, including BW, dry matter intake (DMI), and average daily gain (ADG), was evaluated for the duration of the study. In Experiment 2 (Exp. 2), six ruminally cannulated beef steers received the same treatments utilized in Exp. 1. Steers were dosed with ytterbium (Yb)-labeled BAL to evaluate ruminal passage rate across three 24 d periods. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4. In Exp. 1, total BAL intake decreased in calves supplemented with SHP, while cumulative ADG increased from 0.30 (0.0% BW SHP) to 0.54 (0.5% BW SHP) and 0.74 kg/d (1.0% BW SHP), respectively. Final BW at D47 also increased as SHP inclusion increased. In Exp. 2, ruminal retention time decreased from 38.0 h (0.0% BW SHP) to 15.1 h (1.0% BW SHP), while cecum-to-proximal colon passage rate did not differ among treatments (p = 0.06). Baleage DMI did not differ between treatments. Results suggest that SHP supplementation improved calf performance despite reduced BAL intake in Exp. 1, with the greatest cumulative ADG observed in calves supplemented with 1.0% BW SHP. In Exp. 2, 1.0% BW SHP produced the greatest effects on passage rate kinetics, while BAL DMI was unaffected by SHP supplementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Nutrition and Physiology of Dairy and Beef Cattle)

24 pages, 15371 KB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Bacterial Canker in Stone Fruits Caused by Different Pseudomonads: Pseudomonas syringae Species Complex and Related Species

by Renata Iličić, Marco Scortichini and Tatjana Popović Milovanović

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1358; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121358 (registering DOI) - 21 Jun 2026

Abstract

Bacterial canker caused by different phytopathogenic pseudomonads continues to be a significant issue in stone fruit production worldwide, affecting all major fruit-growing regions. Among stone fruits, apricot and sweet and sour cherry are particularly susceptible to this disease. Over many decades, it has [...] Read more.

Bacterial canker caused by different phytopathogenic pseudomonads continues to be a significant issue in stone fruit production worldwide, affecting all major fruit-growing regions. Among stone fruits, apricot and sweet and sour cherry are particularly susceptible to this disease. Over many decades, it has been consistently reported as a major problem, especially in young orchards, where infections can lead to serious economic losses, followed by tree death. Several pathogens have been identified within the Pseudomonas syringae species complex associated with stone fruits, including P. syringae pv. syringae, pv. morsprunorum (race 1 and 2), pv. persicae, pv. avii, and pv. cerasicola, as well as other pseudomonads such as Pseudomonas cerasi and P. viridiflava. Among these, pv. syringae and pv. morsprunorum are of the greatest economic importance, while pv. persicae is classified in the EU as a regulated non-quarantine pathogen. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical perspectives of bacterial canker of stone fruits, its economic importance, the taxonomic position of Pseudomonas syringae, disease symptoms, and the biology and epidemiology of the pathogens. In addition, we address bacteriological characteristics, as well as serological and molecular methods for the identification of P. syringae complex strains, and outline currently available control measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds)

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26 pages, 5547 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Lightweight Framework for Tea Shoot Detection and Plucking Point Localization Enabled by Modified YOLOv11s-Seg Model

by Yongmao Huang, Yuankai Luo, Yuanxi Mu and Haiyan Jin

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121357 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026

Abstract

In this work, a lightweight framework enabled by the modified YOLOv11s-seg model for tea shoot detection and plucking point localization is proposed. Detecting tea shoots and localizing plucking points with higher accuracy generally require larger model size and more model parameters, making it [...] Read more.

In this work, a lightweight framework enabled by the modified YOLOv11s-seg model for tea shoot detection and plucking point localization is proposed. Detecting tea shoots and localizing plucking points with higher accuracy generally require larger model size and more model parameters, making it difficult to balance accuracy and lightweighting. To overcome this limitation, a modified lightweight YOLOv11s-seg model is developed. First, the multi-scale edge information enhancement is introduced into the conventional YOLOv11s-seg to extract edge feature better and improve the detection accuracy of tea shoots. Meanwhile, context anchor attention is utilized to modify the cross stage partial spatial attention module in a backbone network to improve the detection capability for small objects. Moreover, the detail calibration reconstruction feature pyramid network is proposed. It utilizes spatial and contextual semantic information to reconstruct and calibrate features in key regions, enhancing the capability for object fusion and recognition at various scales. Furthermore, with the modified model performing instance segmentation to acquire the contour of each tea shoot, the coordinates of the three lowest pixel points in the contour are captured to localize the plucking point based on the average coordinates. In addition, the layer-adaptive magnitude-based pruning (LAMP) method is used to lighten the model. The experimental results show that the LAMP-pruned modified YOLOv11s-seg model with a speedup ratio of 1.5 achieves a mAP@0.5 of 86.5% for tea shoot detection, exhibiting a 4.7 percentage point improvement over the conventional YOLOv11s-seg model. Moreover, it exhibits an accuracy of 81.9% for plucking point localization on the validation and test subsets with 232 images in total, and its number of parameters, model size and floating point operations (FLOPs) separately achieve reductions of 67.3%, 66.2%, and 24.9% over the conventional model as well. Therefore, the proposed LAMP-pruned modified model shows good balance between lightweighting and detection accuracy. Finally, the modified LAMP-pruned YOLOv11s-seg model is deployed on a Jetson Orin NX edge module and measured in a tea plantation, with the measured results exhibiting a detection speed of 34.1 FPS and verifying its availability in practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Precision Agriculture in Orchard)

17 pages, 3548 KB

Open AccessArticle

Contact Parameter Calibration for a Rigid Discrete Element Model of Rapeseed Pod at Suitable Harvest Period Using Angle of Repose

by Yanbin Liu, Xingchi Zhou, Yiming Zhang, Zhenwei Liang, Yifei Chen, Kuizhou Ji and Hebo Mei

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121356 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026

Abstract

The absence of discrete element contact parameters for suitable harvest rapeseed pods hinders accurate DEM simulations. This study presents the first systematic calibration of discrete element contact parameters for “Ningza 158” rapeseed pods using physical and simulation experiments. Experimentally determined properties included external [...] Read more.

The absence of discrete element contact parameters for suitable harvest rapeseed pods hinders accurate DEM simulations. This study presents the first systematic calibration of discrete element contact parameters for “Ningza 158” rapeseed pods using physical and simulation experiments. Experimentally determined properties included external dimensions, density, pod–steel coefficients (restitution, static friction, rolling friction), and pod–pod restitution. Using the measured angle of repose as the objective, significant parameters were screened, optimized, and modeled via Plackett–Burman, steepest climbing, and central composite response surface tests. The optimal parameter combination was then validated against the angle of repose, completing the calibration. The results showed that the density, Poisson’s ratio, and shear modulus of rapeseed pods at the suitable harvest period were 346.63 kg·m⁻³, 0.35, and 10.5 MPa, respectively. The coefficients of restitution, static friction, and rolling friction for pod–steel and pod–pod were 0.2994, 0.4206, 0.0435, 0.1024, 0.3110, and 0.0380, respectively. Under this simulation parameter combination, the angle of repose obtained from the simulation was 71.23°, yielding a relative error of 2.12% compared with the actual value of 69.75°. Note that this validation is limited to static accumulation behavior. The calibrated parameters can be a basis for future dynamic validation studies on harvest loss mechanisms, provided additional dynamic validation is performed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)

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21 pages, 2108 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Effects of Hybrid and Planting Density on Summer Maize Growth and Grain Yield Under Subsurface Drip Irrigation in the North China Plain

by Gaoshuai Cheng, Yan Mo, Baolin Yao, Luying Zhao, Zhuang Liu, Pancen Feng, Hao Yin, Pu Sun, Hao Li and Yanqun Zhang

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121355 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026

Abstract

Selecting suitable maize hybrids and appropriately increasing planting density is a crucial strategy for improving maize yield under subsurface drip irrigation. A two-year field experiment was conducted to assess the impacts of two maize hybrids (Zhengdan 958, ZD958; Jingke 968, JK968) and four [...] Read more.

Selecting suitable maize hybrids and appropriately increasing planting density is a crucial strategy for improving maize yield under subsurface drip irrigation. A two-year field experiment was conducted to assess the impacts of two maize hybrids (Zhengdan 958, ZD958; Jingke 968, JK968) and four planting densities of 60,000 (PD1), 75,000 (PD2), 90,000 (PD3), and 105,000 plants ha⁻¹ (PD4), on maize growth indices, ear leaf photosynthetic parameters, nitrogen content, grain yield, and yield components. The results indicated that with increasing planting density, the plant height of ZD958 initially increased and then decreased, whereas that of JK968 continued to increase. The leaf area index of both hybrids consistently increased, while stem diameter, rind puncture strength, and stalk breaking strength gradually decreased. Dry matter accumulation initially increased and then decreased, peaking at PD3. Ear leaf nitrogen content, relative chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance all decreased with increasing planting density, while intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) first increased and then declined, reaching its maximum at PD3. Notably, iWUE of JK968 was significantly higher than that of ZD958 during the dough stage (p < 0.01). Ear traits, including ear length, ear diameter, kernels per ear, and grain weight per ear, all decreased continuously with increasing planting density. Grain yield followed a unimodal curve, peaking at the PD3 treatment, with two-year average yields of 12.7 and 13.5 t ha⁻¹ for ZD958 and JK968, respectively. JK968 exhibited significantly higher leaf area index, stem diameter, rind puncture strength, stalk breaking strength, ear length, kernels per ear, grain weight per ear, and grain yield compared to ZD958 (p < 0.01), demonstrating superior tolerance to high planting density and enhanced source–sink coordination. In conclusion, in the North China Plain, JK968 planted at a density of 90,000 plants ha⁻¹ can synergistically optimize population structure, improve stalk mechanical strength, and enhance photosynthetic efficiency, under subsurface drip irrigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)

3 pages, 154 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields

by Marta K. Kostrzewska and Magdalena Jastrzębska

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121354 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026

Abstract

Agricultural systems worldwide face increasing pressure to ensure food security while maintaining environmental quality, improving resilience to climate change, and addressing emerging socio-economic challenges [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields)

23 pages, 429 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Untreated or NaOH-Treated Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Leaves and Twigs as Partial Wheat Straw Replacements on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality of Growing–Finishing Assaf Lambs

by Soha Ghzayel, Halimeh Zoabi, Bassam Abu Aziz, Ahmed E. Kholif, Jihen Jemaï, Alexey Díaz-Reyes, Secundino López and Hajer Ammar

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121353 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of replacing 25% of wheat straw with dried carob (Ceratonia siliqua) leaves and twigs, either untreated or treated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, blood metabolites, and rumen [...] Read more.

This study evaluated the effects of replacing 25% of wheat straw with dried carob (Ceratonia siliqua) leaves and twigs, either untreated or treated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, blood metabolites, and rumen microbial populations in Assaf lambs. Twenty-four male lambs (2.5 months old; 29 ± 0.5 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (n = 8): a control diet containing wheat straw as the sole roughage source, supplemented with a concentrate feed, a diet with 25% untreated carob leaves and twigs (UCL), and a diet with 25% NaOH-treated carob leaves and twigs (TCL). Following a 14-day adaptation period, lambs were fed the corresponding experimental diet for 14 weeks. Carob inclusion improved growth performance, with UCL lambs showing the highest average daily gain (214 g/d) compared with TCL (201 g/d) and control (160 g/d), resulting in improved feed conversion ratio (9.02 vs. 5.68 and 5.63, respectively) (p < 0.001). Blood urea nitrogen was reduced (p < 0.001) in UCL lambs (26.8 vs. 38.5 mg/dL in control), suggesting improved nitrogen retention. Digestibility responses differed between treatments (p < 0.001), as TCL increased dry matter digestibility to 72.6% compared with 65.4% (UCL) and 63.6% (control), indicating enhanced nutrient utilization following NaOH treatment. Both UCL and TCL increased (p < 0.001) carcass weights (up to 24.7 vs. 21.0 kg in control), while TCL achieved the highest dressing percentage (46.6% vs. 43.4%). Meat quality traits were generally unaffected in terms of color (lightness, redness, and yellowness) and water-holding capacity; however, shear force decreased from 33.6 N (control) to 30.0 N (TCL), indicating improved tenderness. Carob inclusion modified meat composition by increasing (p < 0.001) lipid content (12.0–12.2 vs. 9.6%) and improving fatty acid profile, with reduced saturated fatty acids (53.4–56.5 vs. 61.4%) and increased α-linolenic acid (2.04 vs. 1.58%), leading to a lower n-6/n-3 ratio (5.54–5.61 vs. 6.45). Rumen fermentation was also affected (p < 0.001), as carob diets increased total bacterial populations and reduced protozoal counts, suggesting shifts toward more efficient microbial activity. In conclusion, replacing 25% of wheat straw with carob leaves improved growth performance and feed efficiency, with untreated carob primarily enhancing nitrogen utilization and treated carob improving fiber digestibility and carcass yield. These findings support the use of carob by-products as a viable alternative feed resource, although responses depend on processing method and targeted production outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Reproductive Biotechnology and Nutritional Strategies in Livestock Production)

27 pages, 4462 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Does E-Commerce Enhance County Economic Vitality? A Capital Formation Perspective

by Yi Hou, Hongxiao Zhang, Chen Hu and Yunji Li

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121352 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

The development of rural e-commerce has significant value for regional economic development in developing countries. Its sustainable development depends on whether e-commerce can promote endogenous capital accumulation at the county level. This study uses panel data from 649 Chinese counties from 2013 to [...] Read more.

The development of rural e-commerce has significant value for regional economic development in developing countries. Its sustainable development depends on whether e-commerce can promote endogenous capital accumulation at the county level. This study uses panel data from 649 Chinese counties from 2013 to 2022, together with nighttime light remote-sensing data, to examine how variation in e-commerce development intensity affects county-level economic vitality from the perspective of capital formation. The results show that e-commerce development intensity is associated with stronger county-level economic vitality. The mediation analysis provides differentiated evidence for the capital formation mechanism: fixed asset investment mainly exhibits a delayed indirect effect, whereas loan balances and firm stock operate mainly through contemporaneous channels. However, the county-level economic effect of e-commerce shows regional heterogeneity. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes policy recommendations for the further development of e-commerce, as the economic benefits of e-commerce are significant in relatively developed counties in eastern China but insignificant in non-eastern regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)

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27 pages, 2230 KB

Open AccessArticle

Persistence, Resilience, and Economic Outcomes of CAP-Supported Organic Farms: Evidence from Poland

by Marek Zieliński, Barbara Gołębiewska, Jan Jadczyszyn, Sergiusz Pimenow, Jolanta Sobierajewska, Marcin Adamski and Jozef Tyburski

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121351 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Organic farming in the European Union is strongly shaped by Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support, yet participation durability remains less examined than supported organic area or organic–conventional comparisons. This study assesses whether the length of participation in CAP-supported organic farming is associated with [...] Read more.

Organic farming in the European Union is strongly shaped by Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support, yet participation durability remains less examined than supported organic area or organic–conventional comparisons. This study assesses whether the length of participation in CAP-supported organic farming is associated with the organizational, production, and economic outcomes of organic farms in Poland. It applies a two-level approach: CAP support trajectories based on ARMA data for 2008–2025 and organic production duration based on Polish FSDN data for 2008–2022. A comparative analysis was conducted of the characteristics of the potential, organization, and economic situation of farms with varying levels of persistence within the organic farming support system. The frequent variation in the results obtained indicates the distinct characteristics of these groups of farms. The results show that organic farming in Poland is highly CAP-dependent and follows an unstable trajectory, with expansion up to 2012–2013, subsequent decline, and renewed growth after 2019. Longer participation is associated with differences in land resources, supported organic UAA, ANCs conditions, production organization, and livestock presence, indicating both adaptation and structural selectivity. FSDN data show that fully organic farms have lower land and labor productivity than conventional farms, but persistent fully organic farms achieve similar income per hectare when subsidies are included; without subsidies, their income remains much weaker. The findings indicate that the evaluation of organic farming support should move beyond beneficiary counts and certified organic area to include participation durability, production-system coherence, economic viability, and territorial embeddedness. More differentiated instruments are needed to strengthen durable, knowledge-intensive, and territorially embedded organic farming systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Pathways Toward Resilient and Sustainable Organic Farming Systems)

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17 pages, 2663 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Long-Term Fertilization on Particulate and Mineral-Associated Organic and Inorganic Carbon in Southwest China

by Nuo Xu, Wen He, Nan Gao, Lei Ma, Manyi Li, Cheng Li, Tao Guo, Shiwei Liu and Pujia Yu

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121350 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) are two key components of soil total carbon (STC) pools. However, most studies have focused excessively on SOC, while research on SIC remains limited, especially with regard to different pools of particulate (POM) and [...] Read more.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) are two key components of soil total carbon (STC) pools. However, most studies have focused excessively on SOC, while research on SIC remains limited, especially with regard to different pools of particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in humid regions. Here, a 13-year field experiment was conducted in the farmland of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, to explore the variations of inorganic carbon in POM (POM-IC) and MAOM (MAOM-IC) in humid subtropical soils under long-term fertilization. Four fertilization regimes were arranged in this field experiment: high-rate fertilization (1050 kg N, 480 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), conventional fertilization (480 kg N, 180 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), zero nitrogen fertilization (0 kg N, 180 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and zero phosphorus fertilization (480 kg N, 0 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Soil samples were collected from surface soil (0–15 cm) and subsoil (15–30 cm) to determine STC, SOC, SIC, organic carbon in POM (POM-OC) and MAOM (MAOM-OC), POM-IC, and MAOM-IC. Results showed that SOC accumulation under high-rate fertilization was primarily associated with increased POM-OC. Compared with the zero nitrogen treatment, the other three fertilization regimes significantly decreased subsoil SIC, which was primarily associated with reduced MAOM-IC. High-rate fertilization increased the contributions of POM-OC to SOC and POM-IC to SIC, respectively, yet reduced the corresponding contributions from MAOM. Linear relationship analysis revealed that POM-OC was more sensitive to fertilization regimes than MAOM-OC. However, responses of POM-IC and MAOM-IC to fertilization regimes were roughly equivalent. This is of great significance for understanding the stabilization mechanisms of SIC. This study highlights the non-negligible MAOM-IC loss in subsoil induced by nitrogen fertilization in humid subtropical soils. Given that STC was the highest under high-rate fertilization, this treatment is recommended. This study is of great significance for improving the understanding of soil organic carbon and inorganic carbon dynamics in humid regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)

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22 pages, 13641 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of Crop Biomass Dynamics Under Winter Wheat–Maize Rotation and Erosion Control Agrotechnologies on Epicalcic Chernozem

by Milena Kercheva, Gergana Kuncheva, Dessislava Ganeva, Zlatomir Dimitrov, Milena Mitova, Viktor Kolchakov, Lachezar Filchev, Petar Nikolov and Galin Ginchev

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121349 - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Modeling crop development under different agrotechnologies is important not only for assessing the factors that affect their yields but also because of the role of vegetation in regulation of the hydrology regime. For this reason, interest in the plant module in the semi-distributed [...] Read more.

Modeling crop development under different agrotechnologies is important not only for assessing the factors that affect their yields but also because of the role of vegetation in regulation of the hydrology regime. For this reason, interest in the plant module in the semi-distributed hydrological model SWAT is increasing. The model has to be supplied with a lot of information for running and testing, which can be achieved with ground-based, statistical and satellite data. The aim of the study is to determine the accuracy of the SWAT model to predict crop development by using ground-based and satellite data for LAI in the case of a 5-year field experiment. Two staple crops in rotation were monitored—winter wheat and maize—under different erosion control technologies (up-and-down conventional tillage, conventional contour tillage, and minimum contour tillage with inclusion of cover crop before maize) on sloping terrain on moderately eroded Epicalcic Chernozem in the region of Ruse, north Bulgaria. The remote sensing data from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission were used for estimation of LAI of both crops and verified against ground-based data in two ways—via a custom LAI script available through the Sentinel Hub cloud platform and as input to a machine learning quantile regression forests (QRF) model. The calibrated satellite-derived LAI, ground-based soil moisture and yields data were used to calibrate several SWAT model parameters (EPCO, ESCO, CN2, LAImax, HU, HI) and assess the model performance regarding these variables. Although a good temporal fit of the SWAT-modeled LAI data with the satellite data was achieved, the accuracy of predicted LAI is moderately high only in the last two years of the rotation (R² = 60.4%). The accuracy of calibrated yields (R² = 55.5%) is acceptable in four of the years. On average for the period, the applied erosion control agrotechnologies did not cause significantly different yields, but they are 14% higher compared to the up-and-down conventional tillage. The most sensitive SWAT parameters accounting for this effect are EPCO and ESCO. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence and Digital Agriculture)

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16 pages, 12969 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome-Wide Identification and Nitrogen-Responsive Expression Analysis of the NF-Y Transcription Factor Family in Tall Fescue

by Xu Sun, Danyi Wang, Tian Hao, Qiuguo Li and Zhimin Yang

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121348 - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a critical macronutrient for plant growth, and nitrogen deficiency severely limits turfgrass and forage productivity. Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) is a conserved transcription factor family known to regulate plant development and stress responses. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is [...] Read more.

Nitrogen (N) is a critical macronutrient for plant growth, and nitrogen deficiency severely limits turfgrass and forage productivity. Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) is a conserved transcription factor family known to regulate plant development and stress responses. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a perennial grass widely used as turf and forage due to its strong stress tolerance and low input requirements, making it an ideal model for studying adaptation to nitrogen limitation. However, the NF-Y family and its involvement in nitrogen responsiveness remain largely unexplored in perennial grasses. In this study, ten NF-Y genes (FaNF-Ys) were identified from the tall fescue transcriptome, including two FaNF-YA, six FaNF-YB, and two FaNF-YC members. The expansion of the FaNF-YB subfamily suggests potential functional diversification. Phylogenetic and conserved motif analyses revealed high conservation of NF-Y proteins among grasses and distinct structural characteristics among subfamilies. Expression profiling showed that most FaNF-Y genes were responsive to nitrogen availability and exhibited strong tissue specificity, with many preferentially expressed in lateral roots. Among them, FaNF-YB8 displayed a unique expression pattern, being predominantly expressed in mature leaves and showing a bidirectional response to nitrogen supply, with expression peaks at 6–12 h under low nitrogen stress and significant induction under high nitrogen conditions. This study represents the first systematic characterization of the NF-Y genes family in tall fescue and provides valuable candidate genes for understanding nitrogen adaptation and improving nitrogen use efficiency in turfgrass breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Genetics, Genomics and Breeding)

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11 pages, 794 KB

Open AccessArticle

Methodological Correction Using Inert Materials Improves the Evaluation of the Aerobic Stability of Sudan Grass Silage

by Eduarda R. Oliveira, Duvan S. Bautista, Francine B. Facco, Maria E. P. Hamerski, Jesus C. Osório, Júlio Viégas and Tiago A. Del Valle

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121347 - 19 Jun 2026

Abstract

Aerobic stability is a key indicator of silage quality, reflecting microbial activity through increases in pH and temperature during exposure to oxygen. However, fluctuations in ambient temperature may compromise the accuracy of this assessment. This study evaluated the aerobic stability of Sudan grass [...] Read more.

Aerobic stability is a key indicator of silage quality, reflecting microbial activity through increases in pH and temperature during exposure to oxygen. However, fluctuations in ambient temperature may compromise the accuracy of this assessment. This study evaluated the aerobic stability of Sudan grass silage subjected to different particle sizes (PS) and inoculation with homofermentative microorganisms, as well as the use of inert materials as thermal references. Twenty-four experimental PVC silos were used in a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, including two PS (small or large) and the presence or absence of a homofermentative inoculant (Lentilactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici). Additional silos containing inert materials (sand, water, sawdust, hay, expanded polystyrene, and air) were used to monitor environmental thermal variation. Smaller particles resulted in lower pH values throughout the aerobic exposure period, while larger particles showed higher pH and greater temperature increases, indicating lower stability. Microbial inoculation did not affect pH or temperature. Among the tested materials, sand most effectively buffered ambient temperature fluctuations, enabling more accurate detection of biologically driven heating. Thus, small particles enhance aerobic stability, and the use of sand as a thermal reference enhances the reliability of measurements under variable environmental conditions, offering a practical approach for silage evaluation outside controlled settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silage Management for Cattle: Optimizing Cattle Health and Performance)

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20 pages, 2814 KB

Open AccessArticle

Why Does CAP Support Remain Spatially Concentrated in Greece? Lorenz Dominance, Theil Decomposition, and Counterfactual Simulations over Sixteen Years, 2010–2025

by Ioannis Kaimakamis

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121346 - 18 Jun 2026

Abstract

The European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) commits, in its Treaty foundation, to a fair standard of living for the agricultural community and, in its post-2014 architecture, to enhanced territorial cohesion. Yet repeated reform cycles have left the regional concentration of payments in many [...] Read more.

The European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) commits, in its Treaty foundation, to a fair standard of living for the agricultural community and, in its post-2014 architecture, to enhanced territorial cohesion. Yet repeated reform cycles have left the regional concentration of payments in many Member States visibly untouched. This paper asks why. We document the persistence of the territorial concentration of CAP transfers across the 13 Greek NUTS-2 regions over the 2010–2025 period (€47.65 bn cumulative), identify the CAP design mechanisms that mechanically reproduce it, and quantify how much of the observed aggregate stationarity is the artefact of compositional shifts versus genuinely offsetting forces. Using the universe of payment disbursements aggregated to 13 NUTS-2 regions and 51 NUTS-3 prefectures, we (i) test for σ- and β-convergence and Lorenz dominance, (ii) decompose Theil-T between and within regions and across Pillar I/Pillar II, and (iii) run four counterfactual simulations: Pillar II share held at its 2010 level, Article: 17-style capping at a 12–15% NUTS-2 ceiling, an Article: 29-style lower-tail floor, and a concentration-elasticity perturbation of the top region. The territorial distribution of support proves strikingly stable: standard inequality measures stay within a narrow band for sixteen consecutive years, and the ranking of regions barely changes, so formal convergence tests detect no narrowing over time. Three messages follow. First, this persistence is not accidental but built into the architecture of the CAP—through historical-reference entitlement values, the per-hectare logic of the Basic Payment Scheme, the geographic concentration of coupled support in cotton and livestock, and the cadastral fragmentation of the island prefectures. Second, the apparent stability conceals two large and opposing forces: the post-2014 expansion of Pillar II has reduced regional disparities, while a widening of the Pillar I distribution has increased them by almost the same amount, so aggregate stationarity reflects policy effort cancelling out, not the absence of it. Third, the instruments already in the CAP toolbox have real redistributive power: capping the largest region’s envelope and redistributing the surplus to lagging regions, or introducing a lower-tail floor, would roughly halve measured inequality. Therefore, the spatial concentration of CAP transfers in Greece is a designed equilibrium rather than an unsolved residual, and reducing it requires instruments that act asymmetrically on the top of the distribution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)

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20 pages, 601 KB

Open AccessArticle

Decoding the Green Choice: Climate Awareness, Mandatory Labelling, and Urban–Rural Differences in Willingness to Pay for Low-Carbon Agriculture

by Ionut Laurentiu Petre, Georgiana-Raluca Ladaru, Raluca Andreea Ion, Maria-Claudia Diaconeasa and Steliana Mocanu

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121345 - 18 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological and contextual mechanisms through which consumers’ awareness of agriculture’s contribution to climate change translates into a willingness to pay (WTP) for low-carbon agricultural products. Drawing on data from Eurobarometer 93.2 (ZA7739; N = 24,193), the research applies a [...] Read more.

This study investigates the psychological and contextual mechanisms through which consumers’ awareness of agriculture’s contribution to climate change translates into a willingness to pay (WTP) for low-carbon agricultural products. Drawing on data from Eurobarometer 93.2 (ZA7739; N = 24,193), the research applies a moderated mediation model (Hayes’ PROCESS Model 14) to examine the mediating role of support for mandatory environmental labelling and the moderating effect of residential context. The results indicate that climate change awareness is significantly and positively associated with WTP. Moreover, support for mandatory labelling partially mediates this relationship, suggesting that institutionalized transparency may serve as a key mechanism through which environmental concern becomes economically actionable. The findings further reveal that this indirect effect is moderated by the level of urbanization, being stronger in urban areas than in rural settings. This highlights the importance of socio-spatial context in shaping consumer responses to sustainability information. Overall, the study contributes to the literature on sustainable consumption by demonstrating that willingness to financially support low-carbon agriculture depends not only on environmental awareness but also on trust-enhancing policy instruments and contextual factors. The findings offer important implications for policymakers aiming to promote sustainable food systems through information-based regulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farm Carbon Footprint Measurement for Sustainable Agrifood Systems)

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19 pages, 5221 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Microbially Engineered Biochar Pellets on Net Ecosystem Carbon Balance, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Clubroot Disease in Organic Cabbage Cultivation

by Joungdu Shin, Joohee Nam, Changki Shim, Hyunyoung Hwang, Seonggil Hong and Changyoon Jeong

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1344; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121344 - 18 Jun 2026

Abstract

Organic vegetable cultivation requires soil management strategies that improve carbon balance and suppress soilborne diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of acidified microbial biochar pellets (ABPM) in enhancing net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) and suppressing clubroot disease (Plasmodiophora brassicae) during organic [...] Read more.

Organic vegetable cultivation requires soil management strategies that improve carbon balance and suppress soilborne diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of acidified microbial biochar pellets (ABPM) in enhancing net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) and suppressing clubroot disease (Plasmodiophora brassicae) during organic Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) cultivation. In a field-scale evaluation, three treatments were compared: guano fertilizer (control), ABPM 27 (inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens 22BCO027), and ABPM 86 (inoculated with Bacillus megaterium 22BCO086). Soil incorporation of ABPM 27 and ABPM 86 significantly increased soil carbon sequestration by 29.1% and 22.4%, respectively, while simultaneously reducing cumulative greenhouse gas emissions under the experimental conditions. This resulted in positive NECB values of 2.63 and 2.94 t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹, suggesting enhanced carbon retention potential within the studied cultivation system. Beyond its impact on carbon dynamics, ABPM 27 increased marketable yield by 8.6% (77.4 t ha⁻¹) and reduced clubroot incidence by 46.2%. Rhizosphere microbial analysis revealed that ABPM 27 promoted late-season microbial diversity and the persistence of beneficial Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. populations. These findings suggest the potential multifunctional role of microbially engineered biochar pellets in improving crop production, carbon retention, and pathogen suppression under organic cultivation conditions. However, these findings are based on a single-season field experiment and NECB-based carbon balance estimates, and therefore require validation across multiple growing seasons and cultivation environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Biochar on Soil Improvement and Crop Production)

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19 pages, 6286 KB

Open AccessArticle

Kinematic Analysis of a Variable-Amplitude Vibrating Screen and the Behavior of Mixed Sea Buckthorn Particles on the Screen

by Jingming Hu, Mei Yang, Qianglin Zhang, Jinfa Yang, Wuyun Zhao and Yang Bi

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121343 - 18 Jun 2026

Abstract

Variable-amplitude vibrating screens are widely adopted for screening frozen sea buckthorn berry particles. Investigating their motion characteristics and particle behaviors on the screen surface is essential for optimizing the screening process and improving equipment performance and screening efficiency. In this work, a variable-amplitude [...] Read more.

Variable-amplitude vibrating screens are widely adopted for screening frozen sea buckthorn berry particles. Investigating their motion characteristics and particle behaviors on the screen surface is essential for optimizing the screening process and improving equipment performance and screening efficiency. In this work, a variable-amplitude vibrating screen is taken as the research subject. Its structural composition and working principle are elaborated, and kinematic simulations are conducted via RecurDyn. The results reveal that the vertical amplitude and velocity of the screen surface increase gradually from the feed end to the discharge end, which facilitates rapid particle penetration. Meanwhile, the horizontal velocity remains stable across all sections of the screen. Specifically, crank length governs the screen amplitude, while crank rotational speed determines the vibration frequency. A dynamic model of particles and the screen surface is established by combining EDEM 2024 and RecurDyn V9R4, and two-way coupling of the discrete element model is realized. Coupled simulation results indicate that the dynamic screening efficiency rises with increasing crank length and rotational speed, reaching the maximum at a crank length of 20 mm and a rotational speed of 208 r/min. Crank parameters exert remarkable effects on the thickness of the particle layer and the quantity of penetrated particles: a thicker particle layer leads to a longer residence time of materials on the screen. Field tests are carried out to verify the model accuracy. It turns out that the simulation results are basically consistent with experimental data. In conclusion, crank length and rotational speed are critical influencing factors for variable-amplitude vibrating screens. Research on the screen’s motion characteristics and particle behaviors can provide a theoretical reference for its efficient operation and optimal design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)

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12 pages, 640 KB

Open AccessArticle

Extrafloral Nectar of Bottle Gourd: Synthesis and Role of Carbohydrates as a Dietary Supplement for Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Heteroptera: Miridae)

by Eleni Yiacoumi, Konstantinos M. Kasiotis, Evangelia N. Tzanetou, Dimitra Mitilinaiou, Nikos A. Kouloussis, Panagiotis Mylonas and Dimitrios S. Koveos

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121342 - 18 Jun 2026

Abstract

Plants can provide natural enemies with alternative food resources that enhance their performance in addition to prey consumption. Extrafloral nectaries attract beneficial insects by supplying nectar in exchange for pest suppression, although other arthropods may also benefit. This study aimed to characterize the [...] Read more.

Plants can provide natural enemies with alternative food resources that enhance their performance in addition to prey consumption. Extrafloral nectaries attract beneficial insects by supplying nectar in exchange for pest suppression, although other arthropods may also benefit. This study aimed to characterize the extrafloral nectar composition of bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley (Cucurbitaceae), a host plant of Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae), and to evaluate the effects of its carbohydrate profile on key biological parameters of this predator. Extrafloral nectar was chemically characterized for carbohydrate and amino acid composition, and laboratory bioassays were conducted to assess the effects of a sugar solution of the extrafloral nectar carbohydrate profile when provided with two factitious food sources, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs and Artemia sp. (Anostraca: Artemiidae) cysts. Female egg production, nymphal development and food source consumption were evaluated. Chemical analysis revealed that bottle gourd extrafloral nectar consisted primarily of glucose, fructose, sucrose and melezitose, while serine was the dominant amino acid. Four essential amino acids were also detected. Sugar supplementation did not affect nymphal development rate but significantly reduced factitious food consumption. Significant differences in egg production were observed among feeding regimes. Sugar supplementation did not affect egg production when E. kuehniella eggs were provided, but significantly increased egg production when Artemia cysts were used as food source. These results indicate that extrafloral nectar carbohydrates can function as effective supplementary nutritional resources for N. tenuis, particularly when lower-quality factitious food sources are used. These findings enhance our understanding of plant–predator nutritional interactions and suggest that extrafloral nectar-derived components warrant further evaluation for incorporation into mass rearing protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopesticides and Their Role in Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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34 pages, 1898 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Qualitative, Descriptive Pathway Analysis to Explore Routes of African Swine Fever Virus Entry into and Spread from Two Pork Harvest Facilities in the United States

by Sylvia Martin, Catherine Alexander, Michelle Leonard, Carol Cardona, Timothy Goldsmith and Marie Culhane

Agriculture 2026, 16(12), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16121341 - 18 Jun 2026

Abstract

Proactive disease transmission pathway analyses break complex transmission routes into simpler steps, making risks and uncertainties easier to identify. This approach is especially valuable for African Swine Fever (ASF), a difficult-to-control disease in low-biosecurity settings or when biosecurity practices are inconsistently applied. To [...] Read more.

Proactive disease transmission pathway analyses break complex transmission routes into simpler steps, making risks and uncertainties easier to identify. This approach is especially valuable for African Swine Fever (ASF), a difficult-to-control disease in low-biosecurity settings or when biosecurity practices are inconsistently applied. To support targeted biosecurity planning, a pathway analysis was conducted that is specific to pork harvest facilities in the United States. The analysis focused on two federally inspected plants that slaughter market hogs and produce primal cuts. Inputs, outputs, and potential transmission pathways were identified through a literature review, site visits, and facility personnel interviews. Because ASF virus remains stable at low temperatures and in many pork products, particular attention was given to pathways involving storage conditions, waste materials, and processing steps such as heating or pH modification. Processing steps were evaluated against existing process control plans and ASF inactivation thresholds to determine mitigation status. Of 42 identified pathways, 39 were classified as unmitigated or of unknown mitigation status. These unmitigated or unknown pathways—broadly involving pigs, people, vehicles, and waste—represent the highest priorities for further risk assessment work and for exploring ways to develop or strengthen biosecurity protocols that reduce ASF transmission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosecurity for Animal Premises in Action)

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