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Agronomy
Special Issues
Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production
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Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 9765

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Piotr Prus

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Guest Editor
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Al. Prof. S. Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: sustainable development; sustainable development of rural areas and agriculture; education for sustainable development; rural advisory services; agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS); diffusion and adoption of innovations in rural areas; multifunctional development of rural areas; entrepreneurship; non-agricultural entrepreneurship in rural areas; horizontal and vertical integration in the food sector and agriculture; formation and operation of agricultural producer groups
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Florin Imbrea

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Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Technologies, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului, 300645 Timișoara, Romania
Interests: sustainable technologies; climate change; technologies for agricultural crops
Dr. Laura Smuleac

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sustainable Development and Environmental Engineering, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului, 300645 Timișoara, Romania
Interests: climate change; ecological agriculture; environment; water management; sustainable crops
Dr. Raul Pascalau

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Technologies, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului, 300645 Timișoara, Romania
Interests: sustainable agriculture; environment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Current climate challenges require immediate and precise inventions from researchers, trainers, teachers and professionals working in the relevant disciplines. This is essential for increasing awareness among farmers and all those directly involved in obtaining sustainable agricultural production. Moreover, all issues related to soil carbon sequestration, organic farming, sustainable agricultural technologies and agricultural digitalization are considered top priorities in the evolution of agricultural research,  reversing the negative climatic effects worldwide. Since demographic growth increases for the demand for food, agricultural production must adapt to new areas of cultivation and use innovative technologies to become more sustainable and efficient. Emphasis will be placed on the series of methods used to transform traditional agriculture into a sustainable and modern form of agriculture, avoiding higher costs, using fewer chemical products, and by highlighting positive impacts on the environment.

In this Special Issue, a particular approach will be dedicated to smart solutions, innovative technologies, advanced research and clear results, leading to an effective model for sustainable agricultural production.

Dr. Piotr Prus
Prof. Dr. Florin Imbrea
Dr. Laura Smuleac
Dr. Raul Pascalau
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • climate change
  • mitigation of climate change
  • adaptation to climate change
  • organic farming
  • regenerative agriculture
  • crop production
  • energetic crops
  • sustainable agricultural technologies
  • agricultural digitalization
  • soil carbon sequestration
  • biodiversity

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 997 KiB  
Article
Reduced Tillage, Application of Straw and Effective Microorganisms as Factors of Sustainable Agrotechnology in Winter Wheat Monoculture
by Karol Kotwica, Lech Gałęzewski, Edward Wilczewski and Waldemar Kubiak
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040738 - 02 Apr 2024
Viewed by 457
Abstract
In the aspect of the sustainable development of agrocenoses, the proper management of plant residues remaining after harvesting, the appropriate selection of tillage and maintaining high microbiological activity of soil are particularly important. Therefore, a four-year two-factor experiment with winter wheat monoculture was [...] Read more.
In the aspect of the sustainable development of agrocenoses, the proper management of plant residues remaining after harvesting, the appropriate selection of tillage and maintaining high microbiological activity of soil are particularly important. Therefore, a four-year two-factor experiment with winter wheat monoculture was conducted. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 18 cultivation technologies variants on weed infestation and yield structure of winter wheat grown in a 4-year monoculture. Six methods of tillage and management of residues after harvesting forecrops (first factor) and the use of microbiological preparations (second factor) were tested. The experiment showed that simplified tillage (elimination of plowing) had an adverse effect on the weed infestation of the field and most of the tested plant characteristics, including the yield. In terms of yield, the best solution was to leave the forecrop straw mulch on the field surface until plowing was carried out before sowing, regardless of the use of microbiological preparations. The application of preparations containing effective microorganisms brought beneficial effects only when the shredded straw of the forecrop was mixed with the soil using a grubber. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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22 pages, 13539 KiB  
Article
Utilization of Surplus Air Thermal Energy by a Water Cycle System in a Chinese-Type Solar Greenhouse
by Lu Wang, Yiming Li, Zhouping Sun, Sida Meng, Tianlai Li and Xingan Liu
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020270 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 778
Abstract
Solar greenhouses are commonly overheated during the day, and the remaining air heat can only be dissipated through ventilation, which is a severe energy waste problem. In order to improve the energy utilization of the greenhouse, this study proposes a water cycle system [...] Read more.
Solar greenhouses are commonly overheated during the day, and the remaining air heat can only be dissipated through ventilation, which is a severe energy waste problem. In order to improve the energy utilization of the greenhouse, this study proposes a water cycle system using surplus air thermal energy, which consists of an air-water heat exchanger, supply and return pipes, a submersible pump, a water tank, and an automatic control system. The proposed system stores the surplus air thermal energy in the greenhouse in the water tank. It releases it into the greenhouse using water circulation, and experimental analyses were carried out using a solar greenhouse in the Shenyang area. The effects of different air and water flow rates on the performance of the surplus air thermal energy water recycling system and the environment inside the greenhouse were analyzed by establishing a CFD model and model validation, and the average difference between the experimental data and the simulated data was 6.98%. The results show that the circulating air flow rate significantly affects the system performance and the environment inside the greenhouse. In the heat collection stage, the water circulation system with an airflow rate of 9 m/s has a minor average temperature difference in the vertical plane of the greenhouse. The water circulation system with an airflow rate of 6.0 m/s collects and releases the most significant heat. The temperature cloud between the vertical and horizontal planes is more uniform. This research provides new ideas for efficient energy use in solar greenhouses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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16 pages, 1964 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Using Elements of Sustainable Agrotechnology in Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Monoculture
by Karol Kotwica, Lech Gałęzewski and Waldemar Kubiak
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020261 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 810
Abstract
In sustainable cultivation technologies, the method of managing crop residues and the microbiological activity of the soil, supported by the application of effective microorganisms, is of particular importance. Unfortunately, wheat monocultures are still common. Therefore, there is also a need to introduce elements [...] Read more.
In sustainable cultivation technologies, the method of managing crop residues and the microbiological activity of the soil, supported by the application of effective microorganisms, is of particular importance. Unfortunately, wheat monocultures are still common. Therefore, there is also a need to introduce elements of sustainable agrotechnics to such crops. The aim of the research was to compare the effect of 18 spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation technologies in a monoculture. Therefore, a four-year two-factor experiment was carried out with a spring wheat monoculture. Six ways managing the organic matter before sowing and tillage (first factor) and the application of microbiological preparations (second factor) were tested, leasing to a total of 18 experimental objects. The parameterized weed infestation, chlorophyll index, and leaf area index, elements of the yield structure, and spring wheat yield were determined through tillage technology. In most cases, the application of biopreparations was not found to have a significant impact on the tested features. The highest yields of spring wheat were obtained through the following technologies: application of EM or UGmax microbiological preparations on the shredded straw of the forecrop; mixing the forecrop with the soil using a grubber immediately after harvest; sowing the white mustard catch crop; winter plowing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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15 pages, 2629 KiB  
Article
Determination of Combined Effects of Organic and Mineral Fertilizer on Forage Yield and Quality of Annual Ryegrass
by Ayşe Genç Lermi, Halil İbrahim Erkovan and Ali Koç
Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 2935; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122935 - 28 Nov 2023
Viewed by 925
Abstract
The widespread practice of using high doses of nitrogen to increase unit area yield in annual ryegrass introduces ecological and economic problems. This research was carried out over two years and aimed to determine the potential forage yield and quality of annual ryegrass [...] Read more.
The widespread practice of using high doses of nitrogen to increase unit area yield in annual ryegrass introduces ecological and economic problems. This research was carried out over two years and aimed to determine the potential forage yield and quality of annual ryegrass by applying manure, humic acid, and low doses of nitrogen fertilizer, within the framework of sustainable forage crop cultivation. The study was carried out from 2020 to 2022 with three replications according to the randomized block split plots experimental design. According to the study results, the highest values were achieved with combinations that included manure application, and even higher values were observed when manure was applied along with low doses of humic acid and nitrogen. The M20 + H20 + N100 treatment yielded the highest fresh yield, dry matter, and crude protein. The treatments with manure, humic acid, and nitrogen fertilizer had varying effects on the ADF and NDF content of annual ryegrass, resulting in fluctuating values. In conclusion, 20 t manure, 20 L humic acid, and 100 kg ha−1 N application can be suggested for sustainable and higher dry matter production with good quality for annual ryegrass cultivation under semi-humid climatic conditions. The results obtained from this research hold promise for sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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13 pages, 2870 KiB  
Article
Elevated CO2 Influences the Growth, Root Morphology, and Leaf Photosynthesis of Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) Seedlings
by Akiko Ishida, Isao Ogiwara and Sakae Suzuki
Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2264; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092264 - 28 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
Growing quality seedlings is a challenge for sustainable cacao production as the survival rate of young seedlings is strongly influenced by environmental factors that affect the productivity of cacao farmers. In this study, cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings were cultivated in a nursery, [...] Read more.
Growing quality seedlings is a challenge for sustainable cacao production as the survival rate of young seedlings is strongly influenced by environmental factors that affect the productivity of cacao farmers. In this study, cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings were cultivated in a nursery, and the effects of elevated CO2 concentrations (approximately 800 ppm) applied to cacao seedlings during daytime (6:00–17:59) on the root growth, morphology, and leaf photosynthetic capacity were examined. Treatment with elevated CO2 significantly improved root growth, dry matter weight, and root/shoot ratio. Three-dimensional imaging of roots showed that lateral roots grew longer horizontally, lateral roots and fine roots were distributed over a larger area, and root surface and root volume increased significantly under elevated CO2 treatment. Accurate quantification of root morphology using X-ray CT indicated that the treatment with elevated CO2 concentrations may significantly affect root quality during the seedling stage by expanding the distribution range of lateral and fine roots, which increases the ability of lateral roots to elongate and absorb water and nutrients from the superficial layers. The photosynthetic characteristics of the aboveground leaves of cacao seedlings exposed to elevated CO2 concentrations showed a tendency to adapt to elevated CO2 concentrations by increasing light-use efficiency and CO2-use efficiency. Therefore, the treatment of cacao seedlings with elevated CO2 concentrations improved the growth quality of seedlings due to the characteristics of the roots as large sinks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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15 pages, 13576 KiB  
Article
Harnessing the Eco-Friendly Potential of Asparagus racemosus Leaf Extract Fabricated Ni/Ni(OH)2 Nanoparticles for Sustainable Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vigna radiata
by Ashna Parveen, Sashi Sonkar, Prakash Kumar Sarangi, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Rahul Gupta, Piotr Prus, Florin Imbrea, Laura Șmuleac and Raul Pașcalău
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082073 - 07 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 882
Abstract
The increasing utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) in agricultural practices has led to a surge in demand for nano-based products. Herein, we investigate the dose-dependent impacts of nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2)/nickel (Ni) NPs, synthesized using Asparagus racemosus Linn. leaf extract, on the seed [...] Read more.
The increasing utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) in agricultural practices has led to a surge in demand for nano-based products. Herein, we investigate the dose-dependent impacts of nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2)/nickel (Ni) NPs, synthesized using Asparagus racemosus Linn. leaf extract, on the seed germination and growth of Vigna radiata (Linn.) Wilczek. In all seed samples, 100% germination was observed in Treatment 1 (2.74 mg mL−1) and Treatment 2 (5.48 mg mL−1) of Ni/Ni(OH)2 NPs. However, in Treatment 3 (8.22 mg mL−1) and Treatment 4 (10.96 mg mL−1), the germination percentage was lower, reaching 80%. Further, Treatment 5 (13.70 mg mL−1) of Ni/Ni(OH)2 NPs showed a reduced germination rate of 60%, indicating a prolonged germination process at higher concentrations. Remarkably, the length of seedlings showed a significant increase in all experimental treatments compared to the control group, which received 5 mL of distilled water. Among the investigated parameters, Treatment 2 demonstrated the most promising outcomes, exhibiting the highest chlorophyll stability index (23.73%) and membrane stability index (67.89%) values, as well as the lowest root ion leakage (24.75%). These findings indicate that Ni/Ni(OH)2 has the capacity to enhance seed germination and foster seedling growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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25 pages, 2560 KiB  
Article
Market Price and Supply of Farmland as a Means of Supporting the Wider Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production in Czechia (a Case Study)
by Jiří Mach, Tatsiana Dauhiniova, Lenka Kopecká, Marie Prášilová, Michal Štěbeták, Lucie Severová, Elizbar Rodonaia, Roman Svoboda, Eva Daniela Cvik and Milan Paták
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 1979; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13081979 - 26 Jul 2023
Viewed by 916
Abstract
The goal of this article is to predict the further development of the market price of farmland in Czechia. As part of this goal, the environmental and socio-economic factors affecting the quantity and quality of farmland and, subsequently, the amount of its market [...] Read more.
The goal of this article is to predict the further development of the market price of farmland in Czechia. As part of this goal, the environmental and socio-economic factors affecting the quantity and quality of farmland and, subsequently, the amount of its market price will be discussed. In addition to the quality of the farmland, the market price of individual plots of land is influenced by a number of other factors, such as the size and shape of the plot, location, erosion risk, the concluded usufructuary lease agreements, competition from buyers in the vicinity, and other factors. The average market price of farmland in Czechia was 29.4 CZK/m2 in 2021, which represents an increase of 16.1% against the amount of 25.3 CZK/m2 in 2020. According to the results of the statistical analysis, it is possible to assume a constant increase in the prices of farmland precisely because of the ever-decreasing area of land intended for agricultural production. Another factor for the increase in prices can be increased inflation. In 2027, market prices for farmland could reach up to 40 CZK per m2. Nevertheless, Czechia is among the countries with the lowest market price of farmland; the price is even lower than in neighboring Poland or Spain. This also contributes to the fact that the market prices of farmland in Czechia are increasing at a relatively fast pace every year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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Review

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31 pages, 3416 KiB  
Review
The Effect of Production and Post-Harvest Processing Practices on Quality Attributes in Centella asiatica (L.) Urban—A Review
by Rambir Singh, Balasiewdor Kharsyntiew, Poonam Sharma, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Prakash Kumar Sarangi, Piotr Prus and Florin Imbrea
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13081999 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2030
Abstract
Centella asiatica is well known for its miraculous therapeutic properties in various systems of traditional medicine across the world. However, significant variation in its pharmacological activities has been reported due to the unavailability of quality raw material and non-standardized formulations. A number of [...] Read more.
Centella asiatica is well known for its miraculous therapeutic properties in various systems of traditional medicine across the world. However, significant variation in its pharmacological activities has been reported due to the unavailability of quality raw material and non-standardized formulations. A number of research papers have been published on the collection of C. asiatica plants from different regions for the identification of a suitable agroclimate with elite germplasms. Efforts have been made to standardize production and post-harvest practices for the availability of quality raw material with a high centelloside content. The ecological niche modeling approach revealed that the Indian subcontinent has high climatic suitability for the production of C. asiatica, and genotypes with a high content of centelloside were predominantly found in the Western Ghats, North East, Eastern Himalaya and Western Himalaya in India. Open cultivation of C. asiatica is more suitable in these agroclimatic zones in India. Cultivation under shade is also suitable in the plains of Central India. Hydroponic and tissue culture of C. asiatica has also been successfully established for the enhanced production of centelloside using supplements and elicitors such as sucrose, auxins, cytokinins, kinetin, methyl jasmonate, etc. Freeze drying has been identified as the most efficient post-harvest method for the high pharmacological activities of C. asiatica extracts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Approaches to Promote Wider Emergence of Sustainable Agricultural Production)
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