Journal of Agriculture and Food Research最新文献

{"title":"Impact of intensive greenhouse cultivation on soil health: implications for synergistic management of nutrients and contaminants","authors":"Linjun Shen ,&nbsp;Fangkai Zhao ,&nbsp;Junran Li ,&nbsp;Lei Yang ,&nbsp;Qingyu Feng ,&nbsp;Nengliang Yang ,&nbsp;Kaifeng Yang ,&nbsp;Honglin Liu ,&nbsp;Liding Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102707","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under long-term greenhouse vegetable production, intensive nutrient inputs enhance crop yields but also lead to the accumulation of antibiotics and heavy metals in greenhouse soils, posing potential risks to crop productivity and soil health. However, studies examining the trade-offs between nutrient inputs and soil contamination remain limited in terms of quantitative assessment of contamination risks. In this study, greenhouse soils with different cultivation histories (&lt;1 year, 5 years, and &gt;10 years) were investigated. The risk quotient (RQ) and a multi-factor heavy metal pollution index (Pt) were used to quantitatively assess the potential risks of soil antibiotics and heavy metals (HMs) contamination to crop growth and soil health, identify key drivers of risks accumulation, and predict contamination risks under different nutrient levels through scenario analyses. The results showed that RQ exhibited “pseudo-persistence” during long-term cultivation and tended to accumulate in lower soil layers, whereas Pt increased continuously with cultivation duration and was predominantly retained in the plow pan layer. Soil nutrients were identified as the key drivers of antibiotic contamination risk, while soil texture played a dominant role in explaining heavy metal contamination risk. Scenario predictions indicated that further increases in nutrient inputs would substantially intensify soil contamination risks; notably, a 10 % increase in soil nutrient levels could elevate antibiotic contamination risk by more than 50 %. This study provides scientific evidence for the coordinated management of nutrient inputs and contamination risks in greenhouse agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102707"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Runoff, soil erosion, and crop responses to Palash (Butea monosperma) leaf mulching in semi-arid vegetable production","authors":"Darshan Manikrao Kadam ,&nbsp;Dinesh Kumar ,&nbsp;Ram Swaroop Yadav ,&nbsp;Karuppusamy Rajan ,&nbsp;Deepak Singh ,&nbsp;Mukesh Meena ,&nbsp;Ramkishor Patel ,&nbsp;Dinesh Jinger ,&nbsp;Kripa Shankar ,&nbsp;Deepak Maurya","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102702","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102702","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In semi-arid regions, soil erosion and nutrient losses present significant challenges to the sustainability of vegetable farming, as the scarcity of residues limits the adoption of mulching practices. Most crop leftovers are used for animal feed or fuel, which results in limited mulch availability. We evaluate Palash (<em>Butea monosperma</em>) leaf biomass as a mulching material to study crop root-shoot characteristics with hydrological responses, including erosion, nutrient loss, soil properties, and yield in pumpkin (<em>Cucurbita moschata</em>), okra (<em>Abelmoschus esculentus</em>), amaranthus (<em>Amaranthus spp.</em>), and brinjal (<em>Solanum melongena</em>) with mulch (WM) and without mulch (WoM) conditions. Results showed that Palash mulching reduced runoff and soil loss across crops. In brinjal, surface runoff decreased from 66.43 mm (WoM) to 20.88 mm (WM) in 2022 and 154.40 mm–46.26 mm in 2023, while soil loss declined from 2.44 to 0.25 t ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 7.10 to 0.71 t ha⁻¹ in 2023. Okra WM showed lowest nutrient losses (sum of OC, N, P, K) of 3.79 kg ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 8.47 kg ha⁻¹ in 2023, versus highest losses of 17.47 kg ha⁻¹ and 41.19 kg ha⁻¹ under brinjal WoM. Mulch improved soil moisture by 9–36 %. Soil properties improved with mulching, showing lower bulk density (1.67–1.70 vs. 1.70–1.78 g cm⁻³), higher aggregate stability (70.98–73.25 % vs. 66.93–69.99 %), greater hydraulic conductivity (10.58–11.27 vs. 6.36–7.05 cm h⁻¹), and higher soil organic carbon (0.48–0.58 % vs. 0.38–0.42 %). Mulching increased crop yields by 2.2 % for amaranthus and 40 % for pumpkin. Overall, the results indicate that Palash leaf mulching is an effective practice that reduces soil erosion, conserves soil moisture, and improves crop productivity in semi-arid vegetable production systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102702"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals the mechanisms underlying yield trends and alterations in seed oil composition of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) under paddy-upland rotation systems","authors":"Rentao Liao ,&nbsp;Wenhua Dongchen ,&nbsp;Chun Lin ,&nbsp;Zhengjie Liu ,&nbsp;Zichao Mao","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Crop rotation systems exert a significant influence on soil physicochemical properties and crop growth. However, the mechanisms by which winter oilseed rape coordinates growth and environmental adaptation under paddy-upland rotation systems remain unclear. This study integrated analyses of agronomic traits, yield and quality, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to compare the effects of two consecutive years of either rice-oilseed rape (OsBn) or tobacco-oilseed rape (NtBn) rotations. Results demonstrated that under identical fertilization regimes, the OsBn system was associated with a numerical decreasing trend in yield (259 kg ha⁻¹, approximately 3.67 %) and alterations in seed oil composition (e.g., a significant increase in C15:0 and decrease in C18:3n3) relative to NtBn system. These changes were correlated with diminished soil nitrogen availability and the efficiency of NH₄⁺ uptake. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that the observed trends and alterations in OsBn were likely driven by a pervasive down-regulation of carbon allocation towards sugars and lipids, coupled with an up-regulation of secondary metabolism. This metabolic reprogramming was potentially mediated through the activation of the MAPK signaling cascade, suggesting its role as a central regulator coordinating resource allocation in response to the paddy-upland rotation stress. Consequently, nitrogen management, particularly the timing of topdressing requires particular attention in oilseed rape paddy-upland rotation systems to optimize sustainable practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102705"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trade-offs and synergies of cultivars and plant growth promoters on wheat physiology and productivity","authors":"Sunil Kumar Prajapati ,&nbsp;V.K. Verma ,&nbsp;Shivendra Singh ,&nbsp;Gurwaan Singh ,&nbsp;Sandeep Gawdiya ,&nbsp;Shikhar Verma ,&nbsp;Naushad Khan ,&nbsp;M.Z. Siddiqui ,&nbsp;Kuldeep Patel ,&nbsp;Deo Narayan Singh ,&nbsp;Nilutpal Saikia ,&nbsp;Sk Asraful Ali ,&nbsp;Sandeep Kumar ,&nbsp;Mohammad Hasanain ,&nbsp;Vijay Singh Meena ,&nbsp;Dinesh Kumar ,&nbsp;Shailesh Kumar Singh ,&nbsp;Sunita Kumari Meena","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.) production in semi-arid regions faces escalating challenges from water scarcity, heat stress, and climatic variability, making improvements in physiological efficiency and yield stability critical for sustaining productivity. This study evaluated the combined influence of spring wheat cultivars and plant growth promoters (PGPs) on crop performance in a semi-arid climate, using a two-year (rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23) split-plot field experiment with three cultivars (DBW-187, K-1006, and K-607) and six PGPs treatments, including nitrobenzene, GA₃, seaweed extracts, and micronutrient chelates. Measurements taken at tillering, flowering, and harvest revealed strong cultivar × PGP interactions, with DBW-187 showing superior growth and physiological traits such as higher tiller number (+18.3 %), tiller production rate (+19.7 %), dry matter accumulation (+18.3 %), and improved SPAD, NDVI, and stomatal conductance (+9.5 %). Micronutrient chelates (PGP6) emerged as the most effective promoter, enhancing tiller production (+36.0 % to +50.5 %), dry matter accumulation (+33.4 %), leaf area index (+11.6 %), and pigment concentrations, ultimately contributing to better stress tolerance and higher yield. The DBW-187 + PGP₆ combination achieved the highest productivity (5.38 t ha⁻¹), representing a ∼24 % yield increase over the control, while GA₃ also produced notable gains (12.8–19.4 %). Overall, the results highlight that integrating nutrient-efficient cultivars with targeted PGPs especially micronutrient formulations and GA₃ offers a low-cost, sustainable pathway to enhance physiological resilience and optimize wheat performance in water-limited and heat-stressed agro-ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102677"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolomic profiling, functional, and sensory properties of papads made from two types of rice grown in different conditions","authors":"Kamaldeep Kaur,&nbsp;Sonal Aggarwal,&nbsp;Deepika Kathuria,&nbsp;Narpinder Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102644","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102644","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study aimed to investigate the differences in metabolite profiles between rice varieties cultivated under organic and conventional conditions and to evaluate their suitability for developing high-quality <em>papads</em> (traditional rice-based snacks). Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and PLS-DA) revealed distinct metabolic clustering between organic and conventional rice samples. Key differentiating metabolites included myo-inositol, glycerol, sucrose, and linoleic acid in polished rice, and oxalic acid, 5-oxoproline, and glycerol-3-phosphate in bran. Papads made from organic rice exhibited higher protein content, greater levels of bioactive compounds, and significantly enhanced antioxidant activity (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) compared to those made from conventional rice. Moreover, organic rice papads demonstrated superior functional properties, such as higher oil uptake and water absorption capacity, along with improved texture, sensory acceptability, and microbial stability, resulting in an extended shelf life. Furthermore, papads made from organic rice exhibited higher functional properties (oil uptake and water absorption), improved texture, sensory acceptability, and microbial stability. Hence, the present study highlights the potential of organic farming to enhance the value of traditional agro-products and suggests the need for further research on the long-term sustainability and functional impacts of organic cultivation practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102644"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive growth stages according to the extended BBCH-scale and physical-chemical changes of yellow pitahaya fruit (Hylocereus megalanthus)","authors":"Ives Yoplac ,&nbsp;River Chávez ,&nbsp;Laydy M. Mena ,&nbsp;Jorge L. Maicelo-Quintana ,&nbsp;Alyssa Hidalgo","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The yellow pitahaya (<em>Hylocereus megalanthus</em>), native to Central and South America, has high nutritional and commercial value; however, its reproductive phenology and associated physicochemical changes remain poorly characterized under tropical growing conditions, limiting the establishment of precise management and harvest criteria. The aim of this study was to establish phenological growth codes and stages for its reproductive phase according to the extended BBCH scale (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) and to evaluate the physicochemical changes during fruit growth and maturation. Eighteen secondary growth stages were described, grouped into four main stages: bud development (5), flowering (6), fruit development (7), and maturation (8). Weight, volume, mesocarp and endocarp content and thickness, length, diameter, dry matter, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and maturity index increased during growth; in contrast, epicarp content and thickness, as well as firmness, decreased. Fruit growth followed a double sigmoid pattern, and physiological maturity was reached approximately 17 weeks after anthesis, representing the most suitable stage for harvest under the studied conditions. The proposed BBCH-based scale and the integrated physicochemical indicators provide a practical framework to support decision-making in crop management, pest, nutrient, pollination, and optimal harvest timing, contributing to improved production efficiency and fruit quality in yellow pitahaya cultivation. The scale could also be applied to define the vegetative and reproductive growth stages of other crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102699"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative analysis of fifteen saponins in the roots and leaves of Panax notoginseng under different cultivation models using UPLC–Q-Orbitrap HRMS","authors":"Shu He ,&nbsp;Songmiao Zhang ,&nbsp;Yudong Xing ,&nbsp;Tongyu Zang ,&nbsp;Xiangfu Xu ,&nbsp;Marti Z. Hua ,&nbsp;Zhenxing Wang ,&nbsp;Liangjuan Zhao ,&nbsp;Rui Shi ,&nbsp;Shu Wang ,&nbsp;Chen Ye ,&nbsp;Min Yang ,&nbsp;Chao Ji ,&nbsp;Xiaonan Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Panax notoginseng</em> (Burkill) F.H. Chen is a member of the Araliaceae family and is renowned for its health-promoting properties. In this study, a sensitive and reliable analytical method was established for the quantification of 15 saponins in <em>P. notoginseng</em>. This method exhibited excellent linearity (R² = 0.9970–0.9998) and low limits of detection (0.12–6.31 μg/L) and quantification (0.54–21.03 μg/L). It was subsequently applied to compare samples from conventional farmland and ecological under-forest cultivation systems. The concentrations of Rb1, Rb3, Rc, and Rd in the leaves, as well as PPD-type saponins in the roots of under-forest plants, were significantly higher than those in farmland-grown counterparts. Rb1 was identified as a characteristic saponin in the leaves of under-forest <em>P. notoginseng</em>, while Rb1 and Rh2 were identified as characteristic saponins in the main roots. These results provide a scientific basis for promoting ecological under-forest cultivation practices and offer a robust analytical approach for quality evaluation of <em>P. notoginseng</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102690"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel wheat peptide GYP ameliorates Helicobacter pylori infection with AMPK activation","authors":"Yixin Dan,&nbsp;Yalin Lai,&nbsp;Yinghuan Wu,&nbsp;Qinghua He,&nbsp;Yanying Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Helicobacter pylori</em> (<em>H. pylori</em>) is a common microaerobic gram-negative bacteria. It colonizes the stomach of human causing gastritis and then gastric cancer. Currently, <em>H. pylori</em> infection is clinically limited to antibiotic-based therapies. With the widespread use of antibiotics, resistance of <em>H. pylori</em> to antibiotics may be a major reason for treatment failure. Therefore, it is imperative to develop alternative strategies to eradicate <em>H. pylori</em>. In the present study, a peptide GYP was identified from wheat germ protein hydrolysate. The minimum bactericidal concentration of synthesized GYP on 1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL <em>H. pylori</em> was 5 mg/mL, accompanied with cell membrane disruption. Meanwhile, GYP inhibited the urease activity of <em>H. pylori</em> and decreased toxin gene <em>vacuolar cytotoxin A</em> and <em>cytotoxin-associated gene A</em> expression. Furthermore, GYP prevented <em>H. pylori</em> colonization in mouse stomach, and subsequently reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, eliminated gastric vascular congestion and improved gastritis induced by <em>H. pylori</em>. In consistent with this, GYP interfered adhesion of <em>H. pylori</em> on the surface of human gastric mucosal epithelial cells. It further protected gastric mucosal epithelial cells against apoptosis triggered by <em>H. pylori</em>. Therefore, GYP might be a promising anti<em>-H. pylori</em> peptide for the alleviation of <em>H. pylori</em>-induced inflammation and subsequent impairment of gastric mucosa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102697"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of biochar and inorganic fertilizers rates on yield and yield components of maize at Bako western Ethiopia","authors":"Begizew Golla ,&nbsp;Nigussie Dechassa ,&nbsp;Wassu Mohammed ,&nbsp;Almaz Meseret Gezahegn","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil acidity is a major constraint to maize production in western Ethiopia, where maize is used as a major staple crop. This problem severely limits yield, threatening food security and farmers’ livelihoods. To manage soil acidity and enhance maize productivity, this study was initiated to evaluate the effect of combined application of biochar and inorganic fertilizers. A two-year field experiment (2023/24 and 2024/25) was conducted at Bako, western Ethiopia, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) arranged in a factorial with three replications. Treatments included three rates of biochar (0, 5, and 10 t ha⁻¹), nitrogen (0, 46, and 92 kgha⁻¹), and phosphorus (0, 34.5, and 69 kgha⁻¹ P₂O₅). Major agronomic parameters were measured to assess treatment effects. The results showed that combined application of biochar and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased maize leaf area index (P &gt; 0.01) and grain yield, and significantly (P &gt; 0.05) increased biomass, grain number, and grain weight. The highest grain yield obtained with 5 or 10 t ha⁻¹ biochar combined with 92 kgha⁻¹ N and 69 kgha⁻¹ P₂O₅. Economically, 5 t ha⁻¹ biochar with the same N and P rates was optimal for acid-prone soils. This treatment increased grain yield by 24.1 % over recommended inorganic fertilizer alone and improved biomass, grain number per ear, and grain weight by 33.9 %, 23.2 %, and 12.2 %, respectively. The combined application reduced soil acidity, improved soil properties, and enhanced maize productivity. As the study covered only two seasons, long-term experiments are required to verify the persistent effects of biochar.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102698"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Best management practices for reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in vegetable production systems","authors":"Lokeshwar Kesamreddy ,&nbsp;Somasundaram Eagan ,&nbsp;Samuel Mathu Ndungu ,&nbsp;Parameswari Ettiyagounder ,&nbsp;Winnie Ntinyari ,&nbsp;Lukas Pawera","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The increasing reliance on synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers and intensive soil management in vegetable production systems has led to substantial emissions of nitrogenous gases, including ammonia, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Among these, N₂O is a long-lived greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential (273 times that of CO₂), making vegetable production a significant contributor to climate forcing due to high N demand and use, frequent irrigation, and low fertilizer recovery.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on best management practices (BMPs) for mitigating N₂O emissions from vegetable production systems, with an emphasis on approaches that enhance N use efficiency while sustaining crop productivity and profitability.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to evaluate N use patterns, N₂O production pathways, emission drivers, and mitigation strategies in vegetable cropping systems. Studies examining practices such as fertilizer management, soil amendments, irrigation, microbial use, precision technologies, and integrated approaches were critically reviewed, and knowledge gaps were identified.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The reviewed evidence indicates that excessive N application, poor synchronization between N supply and crop demand, and intensive irrigation are the primary drivers of elevated N₂O emissions in vegetable cultivation. BMPs such as nitrification inhibitors; optimized fertilizer rates, timing, and placement; precision fertigation; negative pressure irrigation; and biochar amendments consistently reduced N₂O emissions, often without yield penalties. The effectiveness of these strategies varies with soil type, climate, and crop type.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Mitigating N₂O emissions in vegetable production requires shifting from input-intensive practices toward precise, holistic N management that integrates fertilizer, water, and soil management strategies. Single interventions can reduce emissions, but their effectiveness is strongly enhanced when implemented as part of coordinated management efforts.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Adopting BMPs and integrated N management can substantially reduce the climate footprint of vegetable production while maintaining economic viability. Future research should prioritize system-level assessments, long-term field studies including N₂O emissions, and region-specific guidelines to support scalable, climate-smart vegetable production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"26 ","pages":"Article 102703"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}