Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"Lowering the greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from grassland-based dairy production","authors":"Owen Cashman ,&nbsp;Imelda Casey ,&nbsp;Marion Sorley ,&nbsp;Patrick Forrestal ,&nbsp;David Styles ,&nbsp;David Wall ,&nbsp;William Burchill ,&nbsp;James Humphreys","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions from ruminant production systems is critical to mitigating climate change and enrichment and acidification of vulnerable habitats. Quantifying emission reductions from the implementation of best practices (BP) on grassland-based dairy systems is essential to guide farmers and policy towards wider adoption of best practices.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The aim was to evaluate the extent to which the adoption of BP lowered the GHG and ammonia emissions of grassland-based dairy systems per kg of fat protein corrected milk (FPCM) and per hectare (ha).</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Life cycle assessment was used to calculate emissions from systems of dairy production adopting BP. Data were collected from systems-scale experiments conducted at Solohead Research Farm, Co. Tipperary, Ireland (52°51′N, 08°21′W) between 2011 and 2022. There were three systems that had an average of 27 cows per system and an average annual stocking rate of 2.53 cows ha⁻¹. INT was the control and included average annual fertiliser N input of 265 kg ha⁻¹, applied as calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN 27.5% N) and urea (46 % N) and average annual clover content of grassland dry matter was 110 g kg⁻¹, and slurry was applied by splash plate. BPN included average annual fertiliser N input of 99 kg ha⁻¹ applied as urea or protected urea, clover content was 230 g kg⁻¹ and slurry was applied by trailing shoe. BPO received minimal (&lt;5 kg ha⁻¹) inputs of fertiliser N, clover content was 280 g kg⁻¹ and slurry was applied by trailing shoe. INT encompassed each of 7 experimental years, BPN 7 years and BPO 4 years. All relevant farm activity data was modelled on the basis of a 59 ha farm.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>GHG emissions averaged 1.05, 0.80 and 0.73 kg CO₂e kg FPCM⁻¹ (<em>SEM</em> <em>=</em> <em>0.035, P</em> <em>&lt;</em> <em>0.001</em>) for INT, BPN and BPO respectively. GHG emissions per hectare were 15.0, 11.5 and 10.7 t CO₂e (<em>SEM</em> <em>=</em> <em>0.485, P</em> <em>&lt;</em> <em>0.001</em>). Ammonia emissions were lower from BPN and BPO compared with INT (P &lt; 0.001). Replacing artificial fertiliser N with biologically fixed N (BFN) had the largest impact on GHG mitigation. Low emissions slurry spreading (LESS) in the form of the trailing shoe and replacing artificial fertiliser N with BFN had the greatest impact on ammonia emissions.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Adopting BP lowered GHG emissions by up to 29 % and ammonia emissions by up to 37 % compared with a conventional intensive system of grassland-based milk production. These results can aid farmers to contribute to emissions reduction targets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104151"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A pathway for decreasing the water footprint from grazing-based beef production systems in the Tropics","authors":"Mariana Pereira Barsotti ,&nbsp;Roberto Giolo de Almeida ,&nbsp;Manuel Claudio Motta Macedo ,&nbsp;Rodrigo da Costa Gomes ,&nbsp;Julio Cesar Pascale Palhares ,&nbsp;Andre Mazzetto ,&nbsp;Uta Dickhoefer","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Water availability shapes agricultural land use patterns, which in turn impacts water supplies. Beef cattle production is one of the most water-intensive food production activities. Therefore, it is fundamental to identify pathways to reduce water consumption and to determine suitable producing-regions to mitigate the current pressures on water resources.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Our objectives were to assess the water footprint of beef cattle in different land use systems and investigate the potential of alternative production strategies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with water resources use.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The water footprint of beef produced in conventional pasture system (CON), agropastoral (ICL), and agro-silvopastoral (ICLF) systems was analysed from cradle-to-farm gate using a life cycle assessment approach, which included a complementary analysis of the environmental impacts of the rainfall water consumption in the Brazilian Cerrado.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Increases in the efficiency of the systems (e.g., greater feed conversion efficiency, stocking rates, reduced slaughter age of animals, amongst others) resulted in a lower water footprint and water scarcity footprint in ICL (18,332 L and 1526 L/kg carcass weight), followed by ICLF (31,024 L and 1846 L/kg carcass weight) compared to CON (60,023 L and 2446 L/kg carcass weight). The impact of rainfall water consumption (i.e., green water scarcity) was lowest in ICL (182–328 L_{world equivalents}/kg carcass weight). Although the tree presence in ICLF systems can limit the productivity, it improves the thermal environment as well as the canopy structure and nutritional value of forage on pastures for grazing animals, thereby reducing the water footprint indicators compared to CON systems. The environmental impacts of rainfall water consumed should not be neglected in water footprint studies due to its importance for restoring water cycles, which is particularly complex in diversified land uses, such as ICL and ICLF. In conclusion, ICL and ICLF are viable production strategies for reducing the environmental impacts of water consumption in grazing-based systems.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The research was carried out in the Brazilian Cerrado, a major region for producing and exporting beef cattle in the world and a biome of strategic importance in the water resources dynamics. The region faces significant water consumption challenges because of the accelerated agricultural development disassociated from long-term planning and monitoring of its water resources use. Therefore, our findings are critical in supporting ecosystem resilience and production of beef by also providing insights into the environmental impacts of water consumption in agropastoral and agro-silvopastoral systems, which have been underrepresented in scientific literature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104192"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developing a registration system for farmers' varieties","authors":"Bram De Jonge ,&nbsp;Bhramar Dey ,&nbsp;Bert Visser","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Many countries only allow seed of registered varieties to be legally produced and sold in the market. Due to strict requirements regarding the characteristics (e.g., distinctness, uniformity, and stability) and performance (e.g., outperforming high-yielding varieties under standardized growing conditions) for varieties to be released, this implies that many farmers' varieties are confined to the spheres of the informal sector as ‘potential planting materials’: their production, use, exchange, and trade remain unregulated, largely unsupported, and their importance underestimated.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The present article provides a guided approach on how to develop and implement a registration system suitable for farmers' varieties in full recognition of their inherent properties that often distinguish them from those that are developed in the formal seed sector.</div></div><div><h3>METHOD</h3><div>By following the seed regulatory value chain through which new crop varieties normally reach the market, this article analyses approaches to solve key questions that need to be addressed when adapting that regulatory chain to facilitate the registration and release of farmers' varieties. These questions range from what constitutes a farmers' variety to which rights a registrant may receive over the registered variety vis-à-vis other stakeholders. Answers are provided based on country cases, a literature review, and the learnings and inputs received during several stakeholder workshops and meetings organized in the context of seed system development programmes.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Based on a discussion of the major principles and elements of current variety registration systems developed for the formal seed sector, our analysis leads to a plausible approach through which a farmers' variety registration system could be implemented. In that context, this study provides guidance on who qualifies to register a farmers' variety, how to agree on more flexible criteria for distinctness, uniformity, and stability, and elaborates key principles that can inform solutions for the division and distribution of rights, and access and benefit-sharing.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Several national governments have indicated their interest in implementing a farmers' variety registration system. However, the practicalities on the ground and the principles that could guide implementation have not been elaborated or well-defined in the literature. This article aims to fill that gap. Through the registration and diffusion of farmers' varieties, governments will contribute to an increase of on-farm agro-biodiversity that can enhance farmers' resilience and livelihoods, while contributing to the implementation of Farmers' Rights as defined in the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104183"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Win-win or lose-win? Economic-climatic synergies and trade-offs in dual-purpose cattle systems","authors":"Rasmus Bang ,&nbsp;Stine Samsonstuen ,&nbsp;Bjørn Gunnar Hansen ,&nbsp;Mario Guajardo ,&nbsp;Hanne Møller ,&nbsp;Jon Kristian Sommerseth ,&nbsp;Julio Cesar Goez ,&nbsp;Ola Flaten","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Researchers have identified numerous strategies to improve economic performance and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity in combined milk and beef production on dairy farms. However, there remains a need to better understand how the effectiveness of these strategies varies under different operational conditions.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to examine how the economic and GHG emission intensity mitigation effectiveness of increased milk yield, extended longevity of dairy cows, reduced age at first calving, and intensified beef production from bulls depend on operational conditions in dual purpose cattle systems.</div></div><div><h3>METHOD</h3><div>We present a quantitative framework to (1) economically optimize production at farm level under various constraints and (2) calculate corresponding GHG emissions. The framework is tailored for Norwegian dual-purpose cattle systems and used to assess the economic and GHG emission intensity mitigation effects of incremental adjustments in relevant decisions.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results show that increased milk yield, extended productive life of dairy cows, reduced age at first calving, and lower slaughter age of bulls can lead to economic and climatic win-wins in terms of higher gross margins and reduced emissions per kg of protein produced. However, they may also result in lose-win and win-lose outcomes depending on the operational conditions. All four measures free up roughage production capacity, which, if used to maintain/increase milk and/or beef production, typically results in economic gains. However, if e.g., the available milk quota or space prevent this, economic losses may occur. The climate impact also depends on how the freed-up capacity is used: if it boosts production, the effects vary based on the scale and type of increase and the farm's initial setup, while unused capacity leads to reduced emission intensity. Conflicts typically arise when: 1) the extra capacity increases less climate-friendly production, raising emission intensity despite economic gains, or 2) extra capacity cannot be used, causing economic losses despite climate benefits. Our results also show that what can be labeled a win in climate terms, and to what extent, depends on the selected target metric(s).</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Governments and societies strive to balance food production with environmental goals. In this context, it is essential to identify farm-level economic and climatic win-win and lose-win scenarios, not only for farmers but also for policymakers and the broader society. This study could inform decision-making and policy development, potentially enhancing economic and climatic performance in combined milk and meat production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104189"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The dairy production system in the north of Sweden under possible future food scenarios","authors":"Stanley Zira ,&nbsp;Markos Managos ,&nbsp;Stina Printz ,&nbsp;Mikaela Lindberg ,&nbsp;Serina Ahlgren ,&nbsp;Ulf Sonesson","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The dairy production system fills an important role by providing nutrient-dense foods in Swedish diets, however, future efforts to improve its sustainability necessitate structural changes.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We present an innovative study which assesses the effects of these future changes in the dairy system in northern Sweden, the Norrland region, which has a subarctic climate.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Four scenarios were developed: 1) Food as Industry: Food is a commodity, and its production is an industry that can be invested in to benefit society. 2) Food as Technology: New technologies, such as nutrient density trackers and microbiome mapping, are used for personalized dietary plans. Additionally, novel foods from microbial cultures are produced. 3) Food as Culture: More locally produced food and diverse food products are consumed. 4) Food Forgotten: Land previously used for food and feed is converted to bioenergy production, climate mitigation, and adaptation infrastructure. These scenarios were compared to the baseline i.e. present dairy system for dairy production capacity, carbon flow and carbon footprint.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Food as industry resulted in increased dairy production capacity with decreased carbon footprint but increased carbon imports. Food as technology provided decreased dairy production capacity and increased carbon footprint but with decreased carbon imports. Food as culture, maintained dairy production capacity with a decreased carbon footprint and carbon imports. Food forgotten resulted in decreased dairy production capacity and increased carbon imports but with decreased carbon footprint. Food as culture benefits all - specifically dairy production capacity, carbon footprint and carbon imports. However, further research is required to explore implications on soil organic carbon stocks over time in Norrland.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Our study sheds light on the potential impacts of future dairy production in a subarctic climate and aims to help in decision making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104177"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How to use residual biomass streams in circular food systems to minimise land use or GHG emissions","authors":"Benjamin van Selm ,&nbsp;Renske Hijbeek ,&nbsp;Corina E. van Middelaar ,&nbsp;Imke J.M. de Boer ,&nbsp;Martin K. van Ittersum","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Transitioning to future circular economies and food systems will increase demand for biomass in society. Residual streams, which include food loss, food waste and by-products (e.g., rapeseed meal) from agriculture and food production are a valuable source of biomass in more circular food systems. It is currently unclear if and whether these residual streams should be utilised optimally: as animal feed, composted as organic fertiliser or for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas (methane) and digestate (fertiliser) to minimise environmental impacts from food systems.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Our aim is to understand which residual streams are to be utilised as animal feed, compost or for anaerobic digestion in circular food systems to achieve minimum agricultural land use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under scenarios with different dietary preferences.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Taking the Netherlands as a case study, we employed the FOODSOM model, an iterative linear optimisation model of a circular food system in the Netherlands. FOODSOM minimises agricultural land use or GHG emissions while meeting the dietary requirements of the population. Four scenarios based on two different human diets and two food system objectives (i.e., minimise land use or GHG emissions) were developed.</div></div><div><h3>Results &amp; conclusions</h3><div>Our results show by-products should be fed to livestock when aiming to minimise agricultural land use and GHG emissions, food loss and waste is best fed to livestock when minimising land use, but composted or digested when minimising GHG emissions. The decision to compost or digest food waste depends on whether the GHG emissions from anaerobic digestion are assigned to the food system or the biogas (methane) produced.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Our results provide guidance on how residual streams, including food loss, food waste and by-products can be optimally utilised in future circular food systems to achieve minimal agricultural land use and GHG emissions when meeting dietary requirements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104185"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A sustainable game changer? Systematic review of serious games used for agriculture and research agenda","authors":"Sylvain Dernat ,&nbsp;Myriam Grillot ,&nbsp;Federico Andreotti ,&nbsp;Gilles Martel","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Serious games can be used as a tool for learning, increasing coordination, supporting decision-making processes, and other purposes that can strengthen sustainability transitions. While agriculture is an important corner stone for these transitions, little research has been done on serious games on agricultural and none on the potential link with sustainability issues.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This article is a systematic review of published research articles on the use of serious games to address agricultural issues. It aimed to understand how these serious games incorporate or are likely to address sustainability issues.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The process of the review is described accord to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). After data collection, we conducted a four-step analysis: i) short bibliometric analysis of the corpus, ii) descriptive analysis of the games' characteristics, iii) comprehensive analysis on sustainability based on a framework developed to define what is sustainable agriculture, iv) analysis of assessment of the games.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Results were based on 237 articles including 182 empirical studies. We showed that the number of articles on serious games in agriculture have recently increased throughout the world. Serious games can reach different goals: i) learning, particularly on specific topics, ii) mediation and co-design, iii) research. Games can be seen as effective means to enable stakeholders to work together. In a context of sustainability transitions, serious games can be used to tackle complex issues. However, more effort must be undertaken to assess the real impact of the game.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This review confirmed the importance of serious games in agricultural research aiming to enhance sustainability transition. We identified gaps and proposed a research agenda to further work on i) inclusion of the diversity of games, ii) rethinking using of games with possible combinations, iii) opening to broader agricultural productions, iv) assessing the real impact of the games, v) using games for transdisciplinary research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104178"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable intensification of dairy farms in temperate Atlantic climate; effects on productive, nutritional and environmental aspects","authors":"Gregorio Salcedo ,&nbsp;Daniel Salcedo-Rodríguez ,&nbsp;Athanasia Varsaki","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104184","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104184","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Animal diet, farm management, and feed production are factors that need to be considered in order to maximize the efficiency and minimize the environmental impacts of dairy farms. Sustainable forage intensification could be one possible solution in order to maintain food security and profitability and at the same time respect the environment under the threat of climate change.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This work simulates the productive, nutritional, and environmental effects of cattle dairy farms in wet temperate regions of North Spain, under sustainable intensification. This approach was based on forage intensification by converting grassland areas to annual forage crops and replacing the concentrate intake in dairy cows' diet by up to 30 %, with silage from the forages produced on-farm.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Two intensive dairy systems were used, identified according to the herd's diet composition. A model farm that represents an average farm in each of the two characteristic intensive systems was employed, taking into consideration field area and use, number of animals, diet, milk yield and slurry management. The simulation model DairyCant was used to run simulations of the average farms under present management (baseline) and under scenarios over succession of <em>Zea mays</em> L. to various winter forage crops (7 scenarios), with variation of the number of dairy cows in the herd (7 scenarios) and under partial replacement of concentrate in the herd's diet (14 more scenarios), resulting to 28 simulations for each intensive dairy system.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Using forage intensification, the production of forages was increased and as a consequence, feed imports are reduced, thus feed production is relocated and farmers' profitability could be increased. Besides, the environmental factors, such as the nitrogen (N) surplus and the total N footprint were decreased, indicating that would have the potential to reduce farm GHG emissions and nitrogen losses. The scenarios involving <em>Z. mays</em> L. succession to <em>Trifolium incarnatum</em> were the most interesting, from a productive, nutritional and environmental point of view.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Replacing grassland with annual forage crops and reducing concentrate intake of dairy cows could result to increase of the nitrogen use efficiency, which means less nitrogen excreted to the environment. At the same time, the reduction of the concentrate provides the potential to improve the economic sustainability of the farms. To establish the realistic implementation of the forage management described here, farmers' abilities and willingness, together with potential supportive policies, must be taken into account.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104184"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of nitrogen management and greenhouse gas balance in agroecological cropping systems in a climate change context","authors":"Magali Willaume,&nbsp;Hélène Raynal,&nbsp;Jacques-Eric Bergez,&nbsp;Julie Constantin","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Agroecological practices, including growing cover crops, are promising practices to adapt to climate change and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, their long-term effects on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics and mineral N fertilization in cropping systems requires further investigation.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Using a simulation approach, we investigated their long-term effects on maize production, N fertilization requirements, N dynamics, GHG emissions and soil carbon storage.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The integrated modeling framework we developed, <em>STICS-TK-R</em>, which includes decision rule models, the STICS crop model, the MERCI decision tool for cover crop residues and an N-balance model for mineral fertilization, enables comprehensive analysis and comparison of agroecological systems. In the context of projected climate change (2016–2050), we simulated six agroecological scenarios that combined two mineral N fertilization practices (i.e., fixed or balanced) and three fallow-period management practices (i.e., bare soil, legume cover crops or cruciferous cover crops with long growing period duration, from 5 to 7 months) for five diverse soil and climate conditions in southwestern France.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</h3><div>The framework predicted significant advancement of sowing, fertilization and harvest dates of the main crop, without decreasing its yields. Nitrogen fertilization requirements varied among scenarios and sites. In particular, a faba bean cover crop decreased N fertilization requirements greatly over time. Analysis of N balance components highlighted the influence of increased soil organic matter and cover crop residues on N mineralization and the importance of adjusting fertilization practices to maintain certain services or offset certain environmental impacts over time (e.g., nitrate leaching, nitrous oxide emissions, GHG emissions). <em>STICS-TK-R</em> was thus able to determine N fertilization rates in different contexts over the long-term.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>We highlight the importance of adapting agricultural strategies and emphasize the need to adjust (dynamically and locally) N fertilization in agroecological systems in the context of climate change to optimize agronomic and environmental performances, especially the GHG balance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104182"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drivers for agroecological transition: An analysis of 40 years of experience in Minas Gerais, Brazil","authors":"Fernanda Testa Monteiro ,&nbsp;Alexandria Jeanne Wilson ,&nbsp;Heitor Mancini Teixeira ,&nbsp;Lucas Carvalho Gomes ,&nbsp;Raphael Fernandes Bragança ,&nbsp;Maria Izabel Vieira Botelho ,&nbsp;Ivonete Lopes ,&nbsp;Felipe N.B. Simas ,&nbsp;Thomas W. Kuyper ,&nbsp;Irene Maria Cardoso","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2024.104174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Efforts are being made globally to promote transformations from conventional to agroecological agricultural systems. In many places, such efforts have been made in dialogue with peasant communities, involving a range of social actors with converging actions. Understanding the drivers of such transformations can elucidate key elements capable of promoting changes in the agrifood system.</div></div><div><h3>The objective</h3><div>Was to identify and comprehend the drivers of agroecological transition and their capacity to transform the agricultural system, based on the analysis of the experience in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where such a process has been built since the early 1980's, involving different institutions and scales of transformation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed and integrated the results of four PhD theses, carried out semi-structured interviews with different social actors regarding the transition in its social, environmental, and institutional aspects, and engaged in participant observation.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>29 drivers were identified that promote agroecology by creating conditions and motivating peasants to switch from conventional to agroecological agriculture. These drivers act synergistically in the ecological, social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions. One crucial synergy is the combination of political support with bottom-up movements. The analysis of the drivers contributes to broadening the agroecological transition process.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The research is innovative by demonstrating that the analysis of drivers for agroecological transitions must be based on concrete experiences in the territories, the dimensions involved, the classification of the driver, the internal and external conditions of the peasant units that interfere in the transition process, and the impacts of the agroecological transition process for peasant families. Specifically, the articulation among cosmovision and identity, collective knowledge building, organizations at regional and national levels, political engagement, and nature-based technical solutions led countless families to promote and practice agroecology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"222 ","pages":"Article 104174"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142653219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}