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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 17728

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jorge Omar Pierini

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Guest Editor

INQUISUR (CONICET), National University of South, Bahia Blanca 8000, Argentina
Interests: numerical modelling; water quality process; heavy metals and organic matter analysis; biogeochemical processes in inland and oceanic waters; dynamic process analysis

Dr. Luciano Telesca

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Guest Editor

Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council, 85050 Tito, PZ, Italy
Interests: geophysical time series analysis; statistical methods for the investigation of geophysical processes; point processes; fractals and multifractals; graphs and networks; complexity; information theory
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue on "Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices" explores the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in ensuring long-term food security and environmental well-being. It highlights innovative approaches, technologies, and strategies aimed at improving crop production while minimizing negative impacts on natural resources and ecosystems. The issue addresses key challenges faced by the agriculture sector, such as climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. The articles in this special issue provide insights into various aspects of sustainable crop production, including precision agriculture, organic farming, agroecology, integrated pest management, crop diversification, numerical modelling, water quality, irrigation water chemistry and resource-efficient practices. They delve into the application of advanced technologies like remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to optimize resource allocation and enhance crop productivity. The special issue also emphasizes the importance of socio-economic considerations, farmer empowerment, and policy interventions for promoting sustainable agriculture. By bringing together cutting-edge research and practical experiences, this special issue contributes to the development of strategies and policies that support sustainable crop production and foster resilient agricultural systems.

Dr. Jorge Omar Pierini
Dr. Luciano Telesca
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable agriculture
crop production
agricultural practices
precision agriculture
organic farming
agroecology
integrated pest management
crop diversification
resource-efficient practices
remote sensing
artificial intelligence
data analytics
farmer empowerment
policy interventions
resilient agricultural systems
numerical modelling
irrigation water chemistry
water quality

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 6894 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Restoring Soil Health with Legume-Based Integrated Farming Systems

by Ana Clara Santos Duarte, Jaqueline de Cássia de Oliveira, Warley Rodrigues de Oliveira, Igor Costa de Freitas, Álissam de Sá Cardoso, Alex José Silva Couto, Walter José Rodrigues Matrangolo, Karina Toledo da Silva, Rodinei Facco Pegoraro and Leidivan Almeida Frazão

Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3340; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083340 - 9 Apr 2025

Viewed by 196

Abstract

Faced with the dual challenge of increasing agricultural production (both intensified and diversified) and improving soil health, this study investigated the capacity of legume-based integrated farming systems to restore soil health in the Brazilian Cerrado. For that, we evaluated two experiments in the Minas Gerais State comparing the following land use systems: native vegetation (NV), conventional tillage with Zea mays (CT-8), two pasture systems with Urochloa decumbens (PAST-13) and Urochloa brizantha (PAST-1), and three integrated production systems arranged with Cratylia argentea + Zea mays (IPS-8A), Gliricidia sepium + Zea mays (IPS-8B) and Cratylia argentea + Urochloa brizantha (IPS-1). To assess seasonal variations in microbial attributes (microbial carbon [Cmic], microbial quotient (qMIC), and enzymatic activity, we collected soil samples during the rainy season (December 2021) and the dry season (July 2022). Soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks were also evaluated. The soil C and N stocks in pasture systems were similar to VN, with values of 120 and 8.2 Mg ha⁻¹ in PAST-1 at 0–30 cm. Additionally, integrated systems with legume crops promoted an increase in soil C stocks up to 24% (IPS-8B) when compared to monoculture cultivated under conventional tillage (CT-8). We also found that the legume-based integrated farming systems increased Cmic and β-glucosidase activity at the surface layers. Our findings demonstrate that integrated systems utilizing Cratylia argentea and Gliricidia sepium offer a promising approach to soil health restoration and a potential replacement for annual crop and pasture monocultures in the Brazilian Cerrado. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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14 pages, 4422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing Different Fertility Treatment Regimes on Ontario-Grown Hazelnuts: Results from 3 Years of On-Farm Trials

by Tejendra Chapagain, Jenny Liu and Sophie Krolikowski

Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041543 - 13 Feb 2025

Viewed by 651

Abstract

Commercial hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) production is relatively new to Ontario and there are no Ontario-specific fertility recommendations for this crop. With the increasing numbers of hazelnut growers entering the industry and the number of acres coming into full production capacity, this was identified as a gap. A 3-year trial was conducted to look at how four different fertility treatment regimes impact hazelnut growth and yield: (1) Ontario’s guidelines for established tree fruits, (2) Modified Oregon’s guidelines for hazelnuts, (3) Grower’s management, and (4) Control (with no external fertilizers). Four pilot demonstration sites were also established to compare fertilized plots (e.g., Ontario’s guidelines for established tree fruits) with orchard-specific grower’s management. Location-specific soil and tissue tests were conducted to determine the amount of fertilizer to apply to each orchard. Hazelnut yields and economic returns varied with location, tree age, and market price of hazelnuts; however, fertilized treatment (e.g., Ontario’s guidelines for established tree fruits) outperformed the grower’s management by up to 75 percent with net economic returns of CAD 18–44 per tree. In the orchard where all four fertility treatments were compared, yields and economic returns from modified Oregon treatment and Ontario recommendation were not statistically different. However, they outperformed grower’s management by 44 and 42 percent, respectively. Modified Oregon and Ontario treatment yielded ~7.0 pounds (lb) per tree with a net economic return of CAD 27 per tree during the 3rd year of study, while grower’s management and control treatments yielded 4.8 and 4.0 lb per tree with net economic returns of CAD 19 and 16 per tree, respectively. Also, fertilized treatments showed higher levels of residual nutrients of N, P, and K in the soil and the leaf tissues. The project results supported that Ontario’s fertility guidelines for established tree fruits can be used for commercial hazelnut production on mineral soils in Ontario. Also, testing soils every three years or plant tissues every year could help match applied nutrients more closely with plant demand, thereby enhancing economical and ecological sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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29 pages, 4343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determining Factors Affecting Agroecological Practices’ Acceptance and Use in Mali, West Africa

by Moumouni Sidibé, Afio Zannou, Idelphonse O. Saliou, Issa Sacko, Augustin K. N. Aoudji, Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo, Harouna Coulibaly and Bourema Koné

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11002; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411002 - 15 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1131

Abstract

Land degradation issues and declining fertility are driving the need for agroecological practices. This research analysed the determinants of acceptance and actual use of five main agroecological practices (contour farming techniques, organic fertiliser, crop association, improved seeds and integrated crop management practices) by farmers in Mali. The extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used to develop the conceptual model. Data were collected from 505 randomly selected farming households in the cotton and cereal production zones in Mali. Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to estimate technology acceptance and use. The findings revealed that behavioural intention is significantly and positively influenced by the expected performance and social influence. The expected effort is a key influential factor of the behavioural intention to adopt organic fertiliser. Experience has a mediating effect on the relationship between social influence and behavioural intention to adopt improved seeds adapted to the agroecological conditions. The actual use behaviour is directly and positively affected by the behavioural intention, facilitating conditions and expected net benefit. These findings align with the UTAUT model, have useful implications for both farmers and decision-makers and offer directions for technical approaches to agroecological practices’ development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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21 pages, 3825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Environmental Sustainability and Economic Viability in Luxembourgish Farms: An Agent-Based Model with Multi-Objective Optimization

by Alper Bayram, Antonino Marvuglia, Tomás Navarrete Gutiérrez and Hélène Soyeurt

Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198536 - 30 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1626

Abstract

To curb the impacts arising from the agricultural sector, the actions undertaken by policymakers, and ultimately by the farmers, are of paramount importance. However, finding the best strategy to reduce impacts, and especially assessing the effects of the interactions and mutual influence among farmers, is very difficult. To this aim, this paper shows an application of an agent-based model (ABM) coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA), which also includes multi-objective optimization of farming activities (including both crop cultivation and livestock breeding) from an economic and environmental perspective. The environmental impacts are assessed using the impact assessment scores calculated with the Environmental Footprint 3.0 life cycle impact assessment method and the study is conducted “from cradle to farm gate”. The model is applied to all the farms in Luxembourg, whose network is built utilizing neighborhood interactions, through which a parameter known as farmer’s green consciousness is updated at each time step. The optimization module is instantiated at the end of each time step, and decision variables (the number of livestock units and land allocation) are assigned based on profitability and specified environmental impact categories. If only profit optimization is considered (i.e., when farmers’ green consciousness is de-activated), the results show a 9% reduction in the aggregated environmental impacts (obtained as the Environmental Footprint single score) and a 5.5% increase in overall profitability. At the farm level, simulations display a clear trade-off between environmental sustainability and financial stability, with a 25% reduction in overall emissions possible if farming activities are carried out using the single score impact in the objective function, though this results in an 8% reduction in profitability over 10 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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20 pages, 1041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Agricultural Productive Services Impact the Carbon Emissions of the Planting Industry in China: Promotion or Inhibition?

by Beihe Wu, Yan Guo, Zhaojiu Chen and Liguo Wang

Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 6850; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166850 - 9 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

Reducing carbon emissions from planting (PCE) is crucial for achieving the “dual carbon” objective within the agricultural sector. This paper aims to investigate the impact of agricultural productive services (APSs) on carbon emissions in the planting industry, providing novel insights into reducing carbon emissions in this field. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces and regions in China from 2005 to 2021, this study measured the PCE and the level of APSs. The internal relationship between the APSs and PCE is subsequently examined empirically using various statistical models, including the fixed effect model, instrumental variable model, mediating effect model, and threshold effect model. The findings suggest that the PCE experienced an initial increase, followed by a subsequent decrease between 2005 and 2021, with the peak observed in 2015. APSs has a significant inhibitory effect on PCE, which remains significant even after conducting various robustness tests. However, the carbon emission reduction effect of APSs varies across different crop-producing areas. The study also revealed that APSs can inhibit PCE by facilitating land transfer. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of APSs on PCE is influenced by the scale of land management and exhibits a U-shaped nonlinear relationship. To effectively reduce PCE and achieve sustainable agricultural development, policymakers should actively promote the integration of APSs with modern agriculture and form moderate-scale operations by facilitating land transfer to maximize APSs’ carbon emission reduction effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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12 pages, 2728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Systematic Analysis of the Development of Agricultural Modernization and Its Effect on Crop Production in Northeastern China

by Viet Ha Trinh Thi and Wenqi Zhou

Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125055 - 13 Jun 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2432

Abstract

Agricultural farming problems are the main concerns for states and local governments in stabilizing and increasing food production. Agricultural mechanization is an important element in this scenario. Thus, we conduct a systematic analysis to examine the agricultural mechanization level and its effect on grain production by using panel data and scientific literature mining for the last two decades in northeastern China. For this purpose, the autoregressive distributed lag model, the stochastic frontier model, and bibliometric analysis are employed. The results show that the development level of agricultural mechanization is stable in the region. In terms of scientific research progress in agricultural mechanization, researchers are mainly studying to solve problems related to carbon emissions, green energy, and environmental protection, and overall, a 4.39% growth rate for research publications was found. Also, the statistical analysis shows that variables such as fertilizers (9.808) and agricultural machinery (0.003) have a significant positive impact on the agricultural industry, which indicates that the development of agricultural mechanization has a certain impact on the efficiency of food production. Thus, technological innovation in climate agricultural practices and small-scale farming could be more beneficial to fulfilling the future food demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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20 pages, 3114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Organic and Synthetic Herbicide Applications on Weed Suppression in a Conventional Cropping System in Louisiana

by Caitlin deNux, Aixin Hou and Lisa Fultz

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 3019; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16073019 - 4 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3021

Abstract

Synthetic herbicides, with their varying modes of action, are well known for their efficiency in the suppression and control of weed species in U.S. agriculture. However, the consequences of using synthetic herbicides without attention to the surrounding environment produce chemical run-off, changes in soil health and soil health conditions, and create herbicide-resistant weeds. These outcomes have encouraged growers to seek alternative methods for their weed management programs or farming operations. Organic production systems and organic pesticides have helped address these challenges related to sustainability and environmental health. However, the use of organic herbicides in a conventional cropping system is not usually evaluated, as the effectiveness of these organic herbicides on weed populations in such a setting is thought to be inferior when compared to their synthetic counterparts. In this study, organic and synthetic herbicides were assessed on their performance in weed suppression surveys. The experimental design included nine treatments with four replications on two different soil types. The results showed organic herbicides were not comparable to synthetic herbicides in weed suppression. In weed management programs, using recommended herbicide application rates outlined on the herbicide label and conducting applications with environmental stewardship in mind could decrease possible herbicide effects within the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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14 pages, 1931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Initiatives and Prospects for Sustainable Agricultural Production in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia

by Shoi Hirakawa, Honoka Masuyama, I Putu Sudiarta, Dewa Ngurah Suprapta and Fumitaka Shiotsu

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 517; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020517 - 7 Jan 2024

Viewed by 3052

Abstract

Improving agricultural productivity to ensure food security while maintaining sustainability is a challenge that needs to be overcome in Bali, Indonesia. Ten farmers in Karangasem Regency, which is among the areas in Bali with a low food security index, were interviewed regarding their agricultural practices and government support for increasing the production of rice and chili—the main crops in the regency—while maintaining sustainability. The interview results revealed that the farmers recognized a lack of sunlight and disease as constraints to cultivation and attempted to improve productivity and control the disease by selecting varieties, cropping systems, and synthetic insecticides based on their previous experiences and the recommendations of agricultural extension workers. The Karangasem Regency Government actively encourages farmers to use biofertilizers and biological control agents to promote sustainable agriculture. Their use to improve rice and chili productivity is important to sustainably increase food security not only in Karangasem Regency but also in Bali Province. Furthermore, since agricultural extension workers are a source of information on agricultural production for farmers, it is important to train them for further extension activities in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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Review

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35 pages, 1492 KiB

Open AccessReview

Toward Food Security in 2050: Gene Pyramiding for Climate-Smart Rice

by Isnaini Isnaini, Yudhistira Nugraha, Niranjan Baisakh and Nono Carsono

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14253; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914253 - 27 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2898

Abstract

The decline in crop productivity due to climate change is a major issue that threatens global food security and is the main challenge for breeders today in developing sustainable varieties with a wider tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Breeding climate-smart rice (CSR) cultivars may be the best adaptation to climate change, with the potential to improve future food security and profitability for farmers in many nations. The main objective of this review is to highlight the direction of development of superior rice breeding from time to time, and various studies of new techniques of breeding methods for pyramiding various superior rice characteristics, especially characteristics related to abiotic stress, and to make a climate-suitable genotype that is resilient to climate change. For the design and strategy of the information search, a methodology was followed to compile and summarize the latest existing studies on rice breeding for abiotic stresses. The findings revealed that there is still an empty research gap in the context of supplying CSR products, which should be a priority for rice researchers in order to increase dissemination and ensure food security for future generations, particularly in climatically vulnerable agro-ecologies. And we conclude that, while technological innovation, specifically the integration of DNA markers and the genomic approach into conventional breeding programs, has made major contributions to the development of CSR, there is an urgent need to build strategic plans for the development of varieties with various stress tolerances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production and Agricultural Practices)

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