Announcements

Conference: 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas
Date: 12–17 July 2026
Location: Cairns, Australia

From 12 to 17 July 2026, MDPI will be attending the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The International Mycorrhiza Society, the umbrella society of the biennial International Conference on Mycorrhiza (ICOM), is dedicated to advancing education, research and development in the field of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Our work is of international significance; our conference attracts delegates from across the globe, with members from over 40 countries and an attendance of 450 to 600 people from academia, government and industry.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cairns for an unforgettable experience at the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas!

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• JoF;
• Plants;
• Microorganisms;
• Agronomy;
• Nitrogen;
• Applied Microbiology;
• Crops;
• Horticulturae;
• IJPB;
• JGBG;
• Life;
• Bacteria;
• Agriculture.

Conference: The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science
Date: 7–12 June 2026
Location: Nanjing, China

MDPI will be attending the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science as an exhibitor, and we are welcoming researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world to exchange the latest advances in soil science. The congress focuses on promoting sustainable soil management and addressing key global challenges such as soil health, climate change, land degradation, and ecosystem resilience. It provides a dynamic platform for scientific discussion, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration across all areas of soil research.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Agronomy;
• Agriculture;
• Land;
• Soil Systems;
• Nitrogen;
• Conservation;
• Hydrology.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.23wcss.org.cn.

MDPI will be attending the 61st Croatian and 21st International Symposium on Agriculture in Brač, Croatia, which will take place from 31 May to 5 June 2026. This event is organized by the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer, University of Osijek, and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, in collaboration with numerous esteemed partners. The conference aims to showcase groundbreaking scientific, professional, and educational contributions from both Croatian and international experts, facilitating their effective translation into agricultural practice. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration among scientists from various universities, research institutes, university alliances, and industry specialists—including producers from Croatia, Europe, and around the world—all united by a shared commitment to advancing science and agricultural innovation. If you are attending the conference, please visit our booth; our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have.

The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:

• Agriculture (leading);
• Crops (leading);
• Agronomy;
• Agrochemicals;
• Foods;
• AgriEngineering;
• Life;
• Horticulturae;
• Grasses;
• Poultry;
• Plants.

Conference: The 32nd Intentional Horticultural Congress
Organization: The Japanese Society for Horticultural Science
Date: 23–28 August 2026
Place: The Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) in Kyoto, Japan

Compared to other agricultural and plant science fields, horticultural science is the field of science that focuses on a great diversity of plants from domesticated plants (crop plants) to wild plants. Furthermore, horticulture covers a wide range of fields from social sciences to medical sciences. It also covers a wide range of professions in the horticultural industry, including scientists, growers, distributors, and marketers.

The theme of IHC2026 is “Exploring the Diversity of Horticulture”, which seeks to highlight the diversity of horticulture and share its applications to contribute to the richness of future human life.

Please come explore with us the integrated science of horticulture, combining social science, natural science, the best in basic agricultural practices, the latest technological advances in robotics, genetics, and applications. From small household operations for local farmer’s markets, to large-scale integrated supply chain management and logistics for global production, the IHC2026 will present the latest horticultural findings, practices, and future directions.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Plants;
• Horticulturae;
• Agronomy;
• Agriculture;
• Life;
• International Journal of Plant Biology (IJPB);
• Seeds.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

Conference: Insects to Feed the World
Date: 9–12 June 2026
Location: Torino, Italy
Booth: #8

IFW is the premier academic and industry conference of the insect farming industry for both insect as food and insect as feed.

The first “Insects to Feed the World” (IFW) conference took place in 2014 in the Netherlands and was hosted by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Ten years after the first successful edition, IFW has become a leading global event in the insect farming sector, bringing together academics and industry professionals from around the world—a perfect combination to foster a culture of continuous development in this growing field and to enhance knowledge sharing in a stimulating scientific environment.

Topics:

• Insect genetics, physiology, and health and welfare;
• Insect production, engineering, and processing;
• Insects in waste management and sustainability;
• Insects in food/feed systems and nutrition;
• Society, perception, and cultural dimensions;
• Global perspectives and applications;
• Impact and applications of insect-derived products.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Insects;
• Agriculture;
• Animals;
• Agronomy;
• Conservation.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions that you may have.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.ifw2026.org/.

The articles listed below have been selected as the cover articles for Issues 13–24 of Volume 15 by the Editorial Office of Agriculture (ISSN: 2077-0472). These articles represent the latest research advancements in fields within the journal's scope, and we hope they will serve as a source of new research ideas for scholars and authors in these fields. For full access to Volume 15, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15.

Cover Story: As the agricultural sector seeks eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic inputs, a new study highlights the potential of hop cone residues as a sustainable replacement for peat in seed coatings. Researchers tested native Trichoderma strains and found that hop-based formulations not only support superior fungal growth but also maintain or improve seed germination. Field trials with bean seeds confirmed that coatings using hop residues promote early plant establishment, particularly under integrated production systems. This promising approach opens new avenues for the valorization of agricultural waste, combining crop performance with environmental responsibility.

Cover Story: A low-crude-protein diet is a valuable strategy for Australian pigs. Reducing crude protein after weaning may prevent waste and may also prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes by improving gut function and avoiding excessive growth. The higher weaning age in this trial may also be a factor in considering the use of low zinc oxide, which may be an important factor in the reduced diarrhoea index and increased growth trend observed in this trial, but the mechanism of this result is currently unknown. In conclusion, feeding pigs a low-fat diet can successfully reduce post-weaning diarrhoea, and the significant improvement in the diarrhoea index and growth trend is of great significance.

15. “Farmer Apprenticeship: Working While Learning or Learning to Work? Experiences and Views on Farmer Apprenticeship in Contemporary Danish Animal Farming”
by Mette Vaarst and Inger Anneberg
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1605;
https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151605
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/15/1605

Cover Story: How do young farmer apprentices learn how to farm and take care of animals? How can their periods of on-farm practice be shaped to best support their education and future as farmers? A pilot study based on interviews of 24 farmer students and 10 host farmers suggested how farmer apprentices’ learning during their on-farm apprentice period was influenced by different views and interests. We discovered a potential conflict between the view of the apprentice primarily as a learner versus primarily as a farm labourer learning through practical work. Additionally, it was proposed that on-farm and social environments were very important for the development of future farmers.

Cover Story: The impact of climate change on the prevalence and severity of powdery mildew in cucurbit crops is increasing prominently. While significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of host resistance and pathogen virulence, the complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and epidemiological factors necessitates a multifaceted approach. Incorporating climate-resilient breeding targets, molecular diagnostics, and adaptive disease management strategies is essential for mitigating future disease outbreaks. The convergence of genomics, gene editing, and predictive modeling offers hope for the development of long-lasting, environmentally responsive resistance in cucurbits. Combining genetic resistance with agronomic practices and predictive disease modeling could provide sustainable solutions for controlling powdery mildew under changing climate conditions.

Cover Story: Using a method widely employed in active portfolio management and asset–liability management, the authors address the lack of hedging effectiveness that yellow corn 1-month futures of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange offer for cross-hedging the price of Mexican white corn and test the benefits of a portfolio of futures selected along the surplus efficient frontier (a special case of the minimum tracking error). This hedge can choose a portfolio with the lowest tracking error and be used as the balancing (short) position for the strike or minimum buy price that the Mexican Government or a financial institution could offer to farmers and intermediaries to enhance food security.

Cover Story: Can the simplified implementation of precision feeding enhance productivity and reduce pollutant emissions? This study evaluated a simplified precision feeding strategy on pig fattening farms to assess its effects on economic performance and pollutant emissions: two commercial feeds, a nutrient-rich pre-grower and a nutrient-poor finisher, were blended weekly based on the lysine needs of two groups of pigs, defined by initial body weight. The results show that simplified precision can provide economic benefits without compromising performance, but blend feeding formulation should also address potential NH₃ and GHG emissions during slurry storage. The integration of artificial intelligence-driven tools for real-time diet adjustments is of great interest to enhance sustainability and efficiency.

Cover Story: Sustaining wheat yield potential is vital for global food security, yet pest management faces increasing challenges from climate change and evolving agronomic practices. Intensive fertilizer and pesticide use, along with continuous rice–wheat monoculture, has disrupted ecological balances, intensifying pest outbreaks in North India. The potato aphid, once limited to solanaceous crops, now infests wheat due to climatic shifts. Zero tillage and residue retention in wheat have created favorable conditions for pink stem borer carryover from rice and earlier armyworm infestations supported by larval survival within rice straw residues. This review highlights adaptive IPM strategies integrating ecological insight and improved agronomic practices to strengthen wheat agroecosystem resilience under changing environments.

Cover Story: Can environmental factors such as light intensity determine the success of biocontrol strategies against plant diseases? This study visually demonstrates that higher light intensity significantly enhances the ability of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PMB05 to intensify strong immune responses and control bacterial wilt in Arabidopsis and tomato plants. By comparing plants grown under different light conditions, this research highlights that only those under high light, and with an intact salicylic acid pathway, achieve robust disease resistance when treated with PMB05. These findings reveal that adjusting environmental parameters such as light can optimize the disease control potential of beneficial microbes, offering a promising approach for sustainable crop protection.

Cover Story: Bacteriophage-based strategies hold great promise for improving post-harvest disease management. But bacterial resistance, regulatory hurdles, and commercial production complexities remain key barriers to large-scale adoption. Phage viability in storage and the field has increased thanks to developments in formulation technologies, such as encapsulation and stabilization. To fully realize the potential of bacteriophage applications, future efforts should focus on enhancing phage stability, optimizing their integration into post-harvest treatment systems, and addressing safety and regulatory concerns. The integration of various microbial biocontrol agents, including PGPR and exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria, supports the development of resilient agroecosystems and complements the use of bacteriophages in sustainable plant protection.

Cover Story: Spain is the world’s leader in olive oil production, with Andalusia (southern Spain) serving as the region with the largest cultivated land. In the area of Estepa, with an agri-food system based on olive monoculture, local producers are adopting strategies focused on quality differentiation and sustainability to boost competitiveness. Generational change remains a major challenge. This study examines actions to improve organization, sustainability, production quality, and pricing. The results show that quality-based pricing yields an extra EUR 200/t, though it has not stopped rural depopulation or agricultural abandonment. This study recommends exploring new production and organizational models that ensure social and environmental sustainability, offering crucial insights for rural development policy.

Cover Story: In a world where freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce, vineyards are being challenged to grow smarter. This study explores how reclaimed water can transform irrigation, using an organic vineyard in La Rioja as a case study, reducing environmental impact while preserving grape quality. By applying a lifecycle assessment and water balance modelling, this research reveals that using treated wastewater not only decreases the impact on global warming or eutrophication but also reduces pressure on natural water sources. The findings highlight reclaimed water as a powerful ally for a circular and more resilient wine sector, offering a sustainable path forward for agriculture in water-stressed regions. Could the future of wine be rooted in water reuse?

Cover Story: The cover image illustrates a conceptual representation of agriculture on the surface of Mars, where plant production must operate under extreme environmental, biological, and operational constraints, including reduced gravity, elevated radiation, limited resources, and non-Earth atmospheric conditions. Within a sealed controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) habitat, crops are sustained through hydroponics, spectrum-controlled LED lighting, robotics, sensors, and the automated regulation of temperature, humidity, water, nutrients, and gas exchange. Together, these elements highlight the tightly coupled, system-level nature of space agriculture. The image further emphasizes how insights from extraterrestrial cultivation—particularly closed-loop design, automation, and resource efficiency—can inform resilient agricultural solutions for extreme and resource-limited environments on Earth.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Each year on 22 April, International Mother Earth Day brings together researchers, environmental leaders, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and inspire action to protect our planet. In 2026, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights the urgent need for collective action and civic engagement to influence environmental policy, accelerate climate action, and drive meaningful change at both local and global levels.

MDPI supports this global observance by showcasing research that advances environmental science, sustainability, and Earth system studies. Through its journals, MDPI provides platforms for researchers and professionals to share scientific knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote innovations that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Invited Speakers:

Feel free to register for this webinar here.

“Global Carbon Sequestration and the Roles of Tropical Forests and Crops: Prospects for Using Innovative Carbon Trading Approaches to Address the Climate Emergency”
by Denis J. Murphy and Shana Yong
Earth 2026, 7(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7010022

“Intensification of SUHI During Extreme Heat Events: An Eight-Year Summer Analysis for Lecce (2018–2025)”
by Antonio Esposito, Riccardo Buccolieri, Jose Luis Santiago and Gianluca Pappaccogli
Climate 2026, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14010002

“The Application of Earth Observation Data to Desert Locust Risk Management: A Literature Review”
by Gachie Eliud Baraka, Guido D’Urso and Oscar Rosario Belfiore
Geomatics 2025, 5(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5010014

“Energy Efficiency Analysis of Water Treatment Plants: Current Status and Future Trends”
by Iwona Skoczko
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051086

“Tracking Particulate Matter Accumulation on Green Roofs: A Study at Warsaw University Library”
by Katarzyna Gładysz, Mariola Wrochna and Robert Popek
Air 2025, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/air3010004

“A Multi-Scale Analysis of the Extreme Precipitation in Southern Brazil in April/May 2024”
by Michelle Simões Reboita, Enrique Vieira Mattos, Bruno César Capucin, Diego Oliveira de Souza and Glauber Willian de Souza Ferreira
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091123

“Status of Concentrated Solar Power Plants Installed Worldwide: Past and Present Data”
by Sylvain Rodat and Richard Thonig
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(1), 365-378; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6010018

“Impacts of Climate Change and Agricultural Practices on Nitrogen Processes, Genes, and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analyses”
by Dafeng Hui, Avedananda Ray, Lovish Kasrija and Jaekedah Christian
Agriculture 2024, 14(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020240