Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104614
Yifan Gu , Zixin Bian , Qianqian Shi , Ziyi Zhao , Haixia Li , Rui Li , He Peng , Ming Yang , Qingbin Yuan , Yufeng Wu
BACKGROUND
Plastic mulching film (PMF) is extensively applied in cotton cultivation to enhance yields, yet its comprehensive environmental consequences remain inadequately quantified.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to quantify the multi-dimensional impacts of PMF on cotton production across 18 Chinese provinces by developing a yield–biomass–water–environment (YBWE) nexus analysis model.
METHODS
Integrating the WOFOST crop model, mixed regression, and life cycle assessment (LCA), we evaluated effects across 35 cross-cutting promotion scenarios, accounting for provincial disparities in natural conditions and agricultural practices.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
PMF promotion is projected to increase China's average cotton yield from 2.41 t/ha to 3.21 t/ha by 2050, with the most significant gains in the northwest inland region. While improving water use efficiency, PMF exacerbates water scarcity in arid areas, increasing consumption by 564.93 t/ha in the northwest. A “V-shaped” PMF residue belt will form, raising aggregate environmental impacts by 74.74 % compared to 2021. Economically, PMF boosts profits—especially in the northwest (up to USD 1890.61/ha)—but over 50 % of provinces face net ecological losses. The optimal scenario couples high-intensity PMF promotion in low-income regions with high-strength PMF application, reducing environmental impacts by over 40 % and avoiding USD 1.83 trillion in ecological costs.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study provides a scientifically supported strategy for PMF promotion that balances yield growth with environmental sustainability, informing policy for coordinated agricultural and ecological development.
{"title":"The yield-biomass-water-environment nexus model unravels the plastic mulching film dilemma: Yield gains vs. environmental cascades in China’s cotton systems","authors":"Yifan Gu , Zixin Bian , Qianqian Shi , Ziyi Zhao , Haixia Li , Rui Li , He Peng , Ming Yang , Qingbin Yuan , Yufeng Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>BACKGROUND</h3><div>Plastic mulching film (PMF) is extensively applied in cotton cultivation to enhance yields, yet its comprehensive environmental consequences remain inadequately quantified.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to quantify the multi-dimensional impacts of PMF on cotton production across 18 Chinese provinces by developing a yield–biomass–water–environment (YBWE) nexus analysis model.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Integrating the WOFOST crop model, mixed regression, and life cycle assessment (LCA), we evaluated effects across 35 cross-cutting promotion scenarios, accounting for provincial disparities in natural conditions and agricultural practices.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION</h3><div>PMF promotion is projected to increase China's average cotton yield from 2.41 t/ha to 3.21 t/ha by 2050, with the most significant gains in the northwest inland region. While improving water use efficiency, PMF exacerbates water scarcity in arid areas, increasing consumption by 564.93 t/ha in the northwest. A “V-shaped” PMF residue belt will form, raising aggregate environmental impacts by 74.74 % compared to 2021. Economically, PMF boosts profits—especially in the northwest (up to USD 1890.61/ha)—but over 50 % of provinces face net ecological losses. The optimal scenario couples high-intensity PMF promotion in low-income regions with high-strength PMF application, reducing environmental impacts by over 40 % and avoiding USD 1.83 trillion in ecological costs.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study provides a scientifically supported strategy for PMF promotion that balances yield growth with environmental sustainability, informing policy for coordinated agricultural and ecological development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104614"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145837422","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104618
Qiankun Niu , Mika Jalava , Vilma Sandström , Kpade O.L. Hounkpatin , Sina Masoumzadeh Sayyar , Dandan Zhao , Matias Heino , Matti Kummu
CONTEXT
As part of sustainable crop intensification, multiple cropping has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing agricultural productivity without expanding cropland. Although existing studies have explored conditions required for multiple cropping adoption, a comprehensive, global assessment of the potential for transition from single to multiple cropping remains lacking.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to i) identify the most influential determinants affecting global cropping systems from biophysical, agricultural input-related, and socio-economic perspectives; ii) quantify their associations with single versus multiple cropping at 30 arc-min resolution; and iii) assess the potential for adopting multiple cropping on cropland currently under single cropping for maize, wheat, rice, and soybean.
METHODS
We employed eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) to quantify relationships between cropping systems and global variables, including climate, water, environment, agriculture, and socio-economics with consistent temporal coverage (1998–2002). To delineate potential transition zones, we applied K-means clustering to these variable groups across four crops, comparing the similarities and differences in growing conditions in single and multiple cropping systems.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Climate variations and agricultural inputs are the most important sets of variables shaping multiple cropping potential. Single cropping systems on 80 million hectares (8 % of global single-cropped land) could transition to multiple cropping across the four crops. Transition potential is, on average, 35 % higher in irrigated systems than in rainfed systems, and the area suitable for transition is 1.7 times larger in irrigated systems. These areas are concentrated in North America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Europe.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our findings highlight both promising targets for sustainable intensification and critical data gaps under current climatic conditions, thereby helping to prioritize regions for subsequent, site-specific analysis and targeted interventions toward sustainable food systems under a changing climate.
{"title":"Assessing the global potential for transition from single to multiple cropping","authors":"Qiankun Niu , Mika Jalava , Vilma Sandström , Kpade O.L. Hounkpatin , Sina Masoumzadeh Sayyar , Dandan Zhao , Matias Heino , Matti Kummu","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>As part of sustainable crop intensification, multiple cropping has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing agricultural productivity without expanding cropland. Although existing studies have explored conditions required for multiple cropping adoption, a comprehensive, global assessment of the potential for transition from single to multiple cropping remains lacking.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to i) identify the most influential determinants affecting global cropping systems from biophysical, agricultural input-related, and socio-economic perspectives; ii) quantify their associations with single versus multiple cropping at 30 arc-min resolution; and iii) assess the potential for adopting multiple cropping on cropland currently under single cropping for maize, wheat, rice, and soybean.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We employed eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) to quantify relationships between cropping systems and global variables, including climate, water, environment, agriculture, and socio-economics with consistent temporal coverage (1998–2002). To delineate potential transition zones, we applied K-means clustering to these variable groups across four crops, comparing the similarities and differences in growing conditions in single and multiple cropping systems.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Climate variations and agricultural inputs are the most important sets of variables shaping multiple cropping potential. Single cropping systems on 80 million hectares (8 % of global single-cropped land) could transition to multiple cropping across the four crops. Transition potential is, on average, 35 % higher in irrigated systems than in rainfed systems, and the area suitable for transition is 1.7 times larger in irrigated systems. These areas are concentrated in North America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Europe.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Our findings highlight both promising targets for sustainable intensification and critical data gaps under current climatic conditions, thereby helping to prioritize regions for subsequent, site-specific analysis and targeted interventions toward sustainable food systems under a changing climate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104618"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145784899","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104621
Boru Douthwaite , Gary Goggins , Andy Bleasdale , Pamela Boyle , Ciara Carberry , Patrick Crushell , Brian Delaney , Brendan Dunford , Catherine Keena , Victoria McArthur , James Moran , John Muldowney , Barry O'Donoghue , Caroline Sullivan , Derek McLoughlin
CONTEXT
Prescription-based agri-environmental schemes have demonstrated poor return on investment, prompting exploration of alternative mechanisms including results-based and hybrid approaches. Ireland's decision to mainstream Results-Based agri-environmental Payment Schemes (RBPS) in its 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan represents Europe's largest implementation of RBPS in agricultural policy.
OBJECTIVES
To analyze the policy decision-making process behind Ireland's mainstreaming of RBPS, examining how this innovative agri-environmental policy was developed and the factors that enabled its large-scale implementation within the CAP framework.
METHODS
The study employed three complementary analytical perspectives: historical timeline analysis, complex adaptive systems theory, and policy windows theory. Data collection involved interviews with 14 key stakeholders, a validation workshop and analysis of relevant literature.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
RBPS emerged through a 20-year evolutionary process involving pilot projects, evidence building, and sustained advocacy by a ‘coalition of the willing’. Pilot projects played a crucial role in providing proof of concept, building implementation capacity, and developing methodologies. Policy change resulted from the strategic combination of ongoing advocacy efforts with the effective utilization of policy windows, particularly CAP cycles. However, scaling RBPS nationally presents implementation challenges, especially concerning IT systems and administrative capacity.
SIGNIFICANCE
This research contributes to understanding how innovative agri-environmental policies can be effectively developed and implemented at scale. Multiple analytical perspectives provide valuable insights for future policy development in complex governance domains. Key recommendations for strengthening future implementation include upgrading technical infrastructure, enhancing farmer engagement, improving training programs, refining payment structures, and better advance planning.
{"title":"Pilots, proponents and policy windows: How Results-Based Payment Schemes (RBPS) became mainstream in Irish agri-environmental policy","authors":"Boru Douthwaite , Gary Goggins , Andy Bleasdale , Pamela Boyle , Ciara Carberry , Patrick Crushell , Brian Delaney , Brendan Dunford , Catherine Keena , Victoria McArthur , James Moran , John Muldowney , Barry O'Donoghue , Caroline Sullivan , Derek McLoughlin","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Prescription-based agri-environmental schemes have demonstrated poor return on investment, prompting exploration of alternative mechanisms including results-based and hybrid approaches. Ireland's decision to mainstream Results-Based agri-environmental Payment Schemes (RBPS) in its 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan represents Europe's largest implementation of RBPS in agricultural policy.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVES</h3><div>To analyze the policy decision-making process behind Ireland's mainstreaming of RBPS, examining how this innovative agri-environmental policy was developed and the factors that enabled its large-scale implementation within the CAP framework.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The study employed three complementary analytical perspectives: historical timeline analysis, complex adaptive systems theory, and policy windows theory. Data collection involved interviews with 14 key stakeholders, a validation workshop and analysis of relevant literature.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>RBPS emerged through a 20-year evolutionary process involving pilot projects, evidence building, and sustained advocacy by a ‘coalition of the willing’. Pilot projects played a crucial role in providing proof of concept, building implementation capacity, and developing methodologies. Policy change resulted from the strategic combination of ongoing advocacy efforts with the effective utilization of policy windows, particularly CAP cycles. However, scaling RBPS nationally presents implementation challenges, especially concerning IT systems and administrative capacity.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This research contributes to understanding how innovative agri-environmental policies can be effectively developed and implemented at scale. Multiple analytical perspectives provide valuable insights for future policy development in complex governance domains. Key recommendations for strengthening future implementation include upgrading technical infrastructure, enhancing farmer engagement, improving training programs, refining payment structures, and better advance planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104621"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787443","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104620
Zhaoqiang Jin , Qianqian Chen , Meilin Chen , Matthew Tom Harrison , Shijie Shi , Ke Liu , Liying Huang , Xiaohai Tian , Yunbo Zhang , Lixiao Nie
Context
In contemporary Chinese agriculture, rice production relies heavily on intensive water and nitrogen inputs. However, the scientific literature lacks comprehensive assessments of the carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of rice under varying water‑nitrogen management scenarios.
Objective
This study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of water‑nitrogen coupling on the carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of rice cultivation.
Methods
A field experiment with three water management practices (rainfed, alternating wet and dry irrigation, and flooded irrigation) and four nitrogen fertilizer application levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) was conducted in 2021 and 2022. This study comprehensively assessed the effects of different water and nitrogen management practices on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, and net ecosystem economic benefits of black rice production.
Results and conclusions
Results showed that rainfed conditions reduced the global warming potential, greenhouse gas intensity, and carbon footprint of rice by 37.57 %, 27.85 %, and 20.82 % relative to alternating wet and dry irrigation, and by 49.64 %, 41.58 %, and 35.96 % compared to flooded irrigation. Concurrently, net ecosystem economic benefits decreased by 22.76 % and 15.53 % under rainfed conditions relative to alternating wet and dry irrigation and flooded irrigation, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization also exhibited differential effects; for ≤100 kg ha−1, incremental nitrogen inputs enhanced net ecosystem economic benefits without commensurate increases in greenhouse gas intensity and carbon footprint. Applications exceeding 100 kg ha−1 significantly increased carbon footprint and greenhouse gas intensity, diminishing net ecosystem economic benefits. Diesel fuel, nitrogen fertilizers, and agricultural machinery were primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in rice production, underscoring the necessity of reducing irrigation water and nitrogen application rates for effective greenhouse gas mitigation. We conclude that the alternating wet and dry irrigation with a nitrogen application rate of 100 kg ha−1 treatment optimized environmental and economic outcomes, achieving lower carbon footprint and higher net ecosystem economic benefits.
Significance
The findings provide valuable insights for achieving the balance between environmental sustainability and economic benefits of rice production, which is of great significance for the establishment of a green and efficient rice production technology system and the formulation of related agricultural production policies in China.
在当代中国农业中，水稻生产严重依赖于密集的水和氮投入。然而，科学文献缺乏对不同水氮管理情景下水稻的碳足迹和净生态系统经济效益的综合评估。目的系统评价水氮耦合对水稻种植碳足迹和净生态系统经济效益的影响。方法在2021年和2022年分别进行3种水管理方式（雨养、干湿交替灌溉和淹水灌溉）和4个氮肥施用水平（0、50、100和150 kg N ha−1）的田间试验。本研究综合评价了不同水氮管理措施对黑米生产温室气体排放、碳足迹和净生态系统经济效益的影响。结果与结论结果表明，旱作条件下水稻的全球变暖潜势、温室气体强度和碳足迹分别比干湿交替灌溉降低了37.57%、27.85%和20.82%，比淹水灌溉分别降低了49.64%、41.58%和35.96%。与干湿交替灌溉和淹水灌溉相比，雨养条件下的生态系统净经济效益分别下降22.76%和15.53%。施氮也表现出差异效应；在≤100 kg ha−1的情况下，增加的氮投入增加了生态系统的净经济效益，而温室气体强度和碳足迹没有相应增加。施用超过100 kg ha - 1显著增加了碳足迹和温室气体强度，降低了生态系统的净经济效益。柴油燃料、氮肥和农业机械是水稻生产中温室气体排放的主要来源，这突出表明，为了有效减少温室气体排放，必须减少灌溉用水和氮肥施用量。综上所述，施氮量为100 kg ha - 1的干湿交替灌溉优化了环境和经济效益，实现了更低的碳足迹和更高的净生态系统经济效益。研究结果为实现水稻生产的环境可持续性与经济效益之间的平衡提供了有价值的见解，对中国建立绿色高效的水稻生产技术体系和制定相关农业生产政策具有重要意义。
{"title":"Integrated assessment of carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of black rice under coupled water‑nitrogen conditions","authors":"Zhaoqiang Jin , Qianqian Chen , Meilin Chen , Matthew Tom Harrison , Shijie Shi , Ke Liu , Liying Huang , Xiaohai Tian , Yunbo Zhang , Lixiao Nie","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>In contemporary Chinese agriculture, rice production relies heavily on intensive water and nitrogen inputs. However, the scientific literature lacks comprehensive assessments of the carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of rice under varying water‑nitrogen management scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of water‑nitrogen coupling on the carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of rice cultivation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A field experiment with three water management practices (rainfed, alternating wet and dry irrigation, and flooded irrigation) and four nitrogen fertilizer application levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) was conducted in 2021 and 2022. This study comprehensively assessed the effects of different water and nitrogen management practices on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, and net ecosystem economic benefits of black rice production.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Results showed that rainfed conditions reduced the global warming potential, greenhouse gas intensity, and carbon footprint of rice by 37.57 %, 27.85 %, and 20.82 % relative to alternating wet and dry irrigation, and by 49.64 %, 41.58 %, and 35.96 % compared to flooded irrigation. Concurrently, net ecosystem economic benefits decreased by 22.76 % and 15.53 % under rainfed conditions relative to alternating wet and dry irrigation and flooded irrigation, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization also exhibited differential effects; for ≤100 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, incremental nitrogen inputs enhanced net ecosystem economic benefits without commensurate increases in greenhouse gas intensity and carbon footprint. Applications exceeding 100 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> significantly increased carbon footprint and greenhouse gas intensity, diminishing net ecosystem economic benefits. Diesel fuel, nitrogen fertilizers, and agricultural machinery were primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in rice production, underscoring the necessity of reducing irrigation water and nitrogen application rates for effective greenhouse gas mitigation. We conclude that the alternating wet and dry irrigation with a nitrogen application rate of 100 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> treatment optimized environmental and economic outcomes, achieving lower carbon footprint and higher net ecosystem economic benefits.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The findings provide valuable insights for achieving the balance between environmental sustainability and economic benefits of rice production, which is of great significance for the establishment of a green and efficient rice production technology system and the formulation of related agricultural production policies in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104620"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787442","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104616
Jean Hercher-Pasteur , Ronaldo Vibart , Andre Mazzetto , Maria Paz Tieri , Claudia Faverin , Sofia Stirling , Dirk Wallace , Verónica Ciganda , Santiago Fariña , Alvaro Romera
CONTEXT
This study investigates the integration potential of crop-livestock systems within dairy production in Uruguay, New Zealand, and Argentina, addressing the dual challenges of increasing food production and enhancing environmental sustainability.
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to explore integration strategies for dairy farm systems in order to increase food output and circularity, reduce GHG-e, nutrient losses and improve production system resiliency.
METHODS
We developed a framework and modeled four progressive scenarios for each country's dairy systems, focusing on energy flows, carbon emissions, and nitrogen balance.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that higher levels of integration significantly reduce environmental impacts and increase resilience. Specifically, as integration increases, the Energy Return on Investment (EROI) improves due to enhanced self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on external feed sources. For instance, the transition from conventional to ecosystem-based practices led to notable reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, achieving lower carbon footprint through increased diversification and the incorporation of agroforestry. Nitrogen use efficiency also showed marked improvements as nitrogen surpluses decreased across scenarios, primarily due to better management of animal excretions and the integration of crops. Despite the promising outcomes, challenges remain, including farmers' capacity to diversify and the substantial investments in infrastructure and management required to facilitate such transitions.
SIGNIFICANCE
Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrating crop-livestock systems to address the complexities of sustainable dairy production, while also urging further exploration into practical strategies that can support farmers in adapting to environmental and economic pressures.
{"title":"Integrated crop-ruminant livestock systems as a strategy to increase energy, carbon and nutrient circularity: Exploring scenarios in dairy production systems across the southern hemisphere","authors":"Jean Hercher-Pasteur , Ronaldo Vibart , Andre Mazzetto , Maria Paz Tieri , Claudia Faverin , Sofia Stirling , Dirk Wallace , Verónica Ciganda , Santiago Fariña , Alvaro Romera","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>This study investigates the integration potential of crop-livestock systems within dairy production in Uruguay, New Zealand, and Argentina, addressing the dual challenges of increasing food production and enhancing environmental sustainability.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>The objective is to explore integration strategies for dairy farm systems in order to increase food output and circularity, reduce GHG-e, nutrient losses and improve production system resiliency.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We developed a framework and modeled four progressive scenarios for each country's dairy systems, focusing on energy flows, carbon emissions, and nitrogen balance.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results indicate that higher levels of integration significantly reduce environmental impacts and increase resilience. Specifically, as integration increases, the Energy Return on Investment (EROI) improves due to enhanced self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on external feed sources. For instance, the transition from conventional to ecosystem-based practices led to notable reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, achieving lower carbon footprint through increased diversification and the incorporation of agroforestry. Nitrogen use efficiency also showed marked improvements as nitrogen surpluses decreased across scenarios, primarily due to better management of animal excretions and the integration of crops. Despite the promising outcomes, challenges remain, including farmers' capacity to diversify and the substantial investments in infrastructure and management required to facilitate such transitions.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrating crop-livestock systems to address the complexities of sustainable dairy production, while also urging further exploration into practical strategies that can support farmers in adapting to environmental and economic pressures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104616"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787827","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610
Julius Juma Okello , Sylvester Okoth Ojwang , David Jakinda Otieno , Robert O.M. Mwanga , Benard Yada , Hugo Campos , Simon Heck
<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Conventional breeding programs have hitherto been farmer-centric, prioritizing improvement of agronomic traits while neglecting trait preferences of other value chain actors. The supply-side focus may lead to low adoption of new varieties and food insecurity. Inclusive breeding is vital for meeting diverse customer needs.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study characterizes the multifunctional roles of sweetpotato actors and systematically assesses differences in varietal trait preferences among actors across the entire sweetpotato value chain in Uganda. It is premised on the CGIAR Excellence in Breeding platform's guide to inclusive demand-driven breeding that espouses the need to involve a broad range of stakeholders in breeding program design, hence innovation development. It provides useful insights on varietal trait preferences and needs of actors that are essential to produce future fit-for-purpose market preferred innovations.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The study used a sequential mixed methods approach involving, first, systematic value chain-wide multidisciplinary consultations to elicit preferred sweetpotato traits. Second, collection of quantitative survey data from 1333 stakeholders identified primarily as producers (992), seed multipliers (68), processors (18), traders (97), and consumers (158). Third, a rigorous quantitative analysis to examine drivers of and trade-offs in varietal trait preferences by actor category.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The findings demonstrate the multifunctional roles of the actors and their varying trait preferences across the value chain. Actors with singular roles prioritize traits based on their immediate needs and commercial interests while those with joint roles exhibit a broader range of trait preferences. However, actors in both production and trading/consumption roles seek a balance between agronomic and quality traits, blending commercial and personal preferences. Regression analysis finds a higher preference for quality traits than agronomic traits as one moves downstream from producers to consumers. Mealiness is consistently preferred over agronomic and other quality traits. Also, overall, women have a balanced preference for both categories of traits.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The study demonstrates a rigorous participatory research process for eliciting strategic information for decision-making in breeding. It supports the need for systematic market intelligence in crop breeding systems to make them more pluralistic and responsive to evolving trait preferences across the value chain. Embracing multi-actor preferences with fit-for-purpose crop breeding innovations/products can foster uptake of the new varieties and benefit all value chain actors once the mix of trait preferences is fully accounted for in breeding programs and necessary efforts are put in place to ensure the new varieties are successful.</d
{"title":"Incorporating multifunctional value chain actors' varietal trait preferences in sweetpotato breeding programs: A pathway towards inclusive innovation","authors":"Julius Juma Okello , Sylvester Okoth Ojwang , David Jakinda Otieno , Robert O.M. Mwanga , Benard Yada , Hugo Campos , Simon Heck","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Conventional breeding programs have hitherto been farmer-centric, prioritizing improvement of agronomic traits while neglecting trait preferences of other value chain actors. The supply-side focus may lead to low adoption of new varieties and food insecurity. Inclusive breeding is vital for meeting diverse customer needs.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study characterizes the multifunctional roles of sweetpotato actors and systematically assesses differences in varietal trait preferences among actors across the entire sweetpotato value chain in Uganda. It is premised on the CGIAR Excellence in Breeding platform's guide to inclusive demand-driven breeding that espouses the need to involve a broad range of stakeholders in breeding program design, hence innovation development. It provides useful insights on varietal trait preferences and needs of actors that are essential to produce future fit-for-purpose market preferred innovations.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The study used a sequential mixed methods approach involving, first, systematic value chain-wide multidisciplinary consultations to elicit preferred sweetpotato traits. Second, collection of quantitative survey data from 1333 stakeholders identified primarily as producers (992), seed multipliers (68), processors (18), traders (97), and consumers (158). Third, a rigorous quantitative analysis to examine drivers of and trade-offs in varietal trait preferences by actor category.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The findings demonstrate the multifunctional roles of the actors and their varying trait preferences across the value chain. Actors with singular roles prioritize traits based on their immediate needs and commercial interests while those with joint roles exhibit a broader range of trait preferences. However, actors in both production and trading/consumption roles seek a balance between agronomic and quality traits, blending commercial and personal preferences. Regression analysis finds a higher preference for quality traits than agronomic traits as one moves downstream from producers to consumers. Mealiness is consistently preferred over agronomic and other quality traits. Also, overall, women have a balanced preference for both categories of traits.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The study demonstrates a rigorous participatory research process for eliciting strategic information for decision-making in breeding. It supports the need for systematic market intelligence in crop breeding systems to make them more pluralistic and responsive to evolving trait preferences across the value chain. Embracing multi-actor preferences with fit-for-purpose crop breeding innovations/products can foster uptake of the new varieties and benefit all value chain actors once the mix of trait preferences is fully accounted for in breeding programs and necessary efforts are put in place to ensure the new varieties are successful.</d","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104610"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787441","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104595
Krista Isaacs , Arena Shelley (Formerly Lewis) , Walter Simon de Boef
CONTEXT
Seed production and distribution of quality varieties require innovative approaches in order to reach smallholder farmers that are outside of formal distribution networks. Many development interventions aim to empower women and ensure food security. Interventions to achieve both women's empowerment and seed security through community-based seed production may contribute to both goals. Building on many years working to empower women through self-help groups (SHGs), Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana (RGMVP) sought to increase seed security by incorporating a rice and wheat seed production program, in which 800+ women became seed producers.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed how a layered self-help group/seed production program contributed to women's empowerment and seed security. Specific objectives were to assess: i) how becoming seed producers changed women's resources, agency, and achievement; and ii) women's perspectives on how seed security changed within the community.
METHODS
In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 SHG seed producer members and 18 non-seed producer members from Uttar Pradesh, India. Grounded theory and an extensive literature review of empowerment were used to analyze the data for emergent themes. Descriptive summaries were written for each theme to understand trends and note cross-sectional themes.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The seed production program within the SHGs empowered seed-producing women. Their resources, agency, and achievement were positively impacted through collective action. Meaningful choice was introduced through participatory variety selection of rice and wheat varieties, and the actualization of that choice was demonstrated through increased decision-making and seed production. Women reported being more respected for their provision of quality seed, which became available at the community level and beyond for barter or purchase, providing evidence of increased seed security across SHG networks. The integrated seed sector program implemented by RGMVP - where improved foundation seed was multiplied by women seed producers at the local level – served as a mechanism for strengthening the availability and affordability of improved rice and wheat cultivars.
SIGNIFICANCE
RGMVP worked with 2 million women members across 40 districts and the seed production program was piloted in just 2 districts. 47,000 farmers gaining access to rice and wheat seed through the program. There are 9 million SHGs in India. With gender responsive community engagement, there is potential for adapting the program to new contexts and generating positive change in women's lives and their households, while enhancing the capacity of the seed sector to support community seed security.
{"title":"Collective action and seed production in Uttar Pradesh, India: A pathway for women's empowerment and community seed security","authors":"Krista Isaacs , Arena Shelley (Formerly Lewis) , Walter Simon de Boef","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Seed production and distribution of quality varieties require innovative approaches in order to reach smallholder farmers that are outside of formal distribution networks. Many development interventions aim to empower women and ensure food security. Interventions to achieve both women's empowerment and seed security through community-based seed production may contribute to both goals. Building on many years working to empower women through self-help groups (SHGs), Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana (RGMVP) sought to increase seed security by incorporating a rice and wheat seed production program, in which 800+ women became seed producers.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study assessed how a layered self-help group/seed production program contributed to women's empowerment and seed security. Specific objectives were to assess: i) how becoming seed producers changed women's resources, agency, and achievement; and ii) women's perspectives on how seed security changed within the community.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 SHG seed producer members and 18 non-seed producer members from Uttar Pradesh, India. Grounded theory and an extensive literature review of empowerment were used to analyze the data for emergent themes. Descriptive summaries were written for each theme to understand trends and note cross-sectional themes.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The seed production program within the SHGs empowered seed-producing women. Their resources, agency, and achievement were positively impacted through collective action. Meaningful choice was introduced through participatory variety selection of rice and wheat varieties, and the actualization of that choice was demonstrated through increased decision-making and seed production. Women reported being more respected for their provision of quality seed, which became available at the community level and beyond for barter or purchase, providing evidence of increased seed security across SHG networks. The integrated seed sector program implemented by RGMVP - where improved foundation seed was multiplied by women seed producers at the local level – served as a mechanism for strengthening the availability and affordability of improved rice and wheat cultivars.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>RGMVP worked with 2 million women members across 40 districts and the seed production program was piloted in just 2 districts. 47,000 farmers gaining access to rice and wheat seed through the program. There are 9 million SHGs in India. With gender responsive community engagement, there is potential for adapting the program to new contexts and generating positive change in women's lives and their households, while enhancing the capacity of the seed sector to support community seed security.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104595"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787362","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104617
M. Scarlato , M. Rieppi , I. Ferreira , S. Irurueta , D. Fernández , F.J.J.A. Bianchi , W.A.H. Rossing , S. Dogliotti
CONTEXT
The transition of farm systems towards agroecology requires an understanding of the ecological processes that support agroecosystem functioning. While co-innovation approaches have successfully supported learning for on-farm sustainability transitions, the diagnostic methods do not capture the ecological processes that underpin the functioning of agroecosystems.
OBJECTIVE
We present the MEDITAE framework, co-developed with practitioners to support the characterisation, diagnosis, and agroecological redesign of farm systems based on systemic learning.
METHODS
MEDITAE connects socio-ecological processes (nutrient, carbon and water cycling; plant succession and biotic regulation; energy flows; and socio-economic and cultural processes) with management and farm performance. Performance indicators are used to assess agroecosystem functioning, and practice-based indicators assess management practices that may explain performance. We applied MEDITAE to three organic and two conventional case study vegetable farms involved in a co-innovation project in Uruguay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
All farms had a weak performance on nutrient cycling and energy flow processes, providing entry points for farm redesign. Carbon and water cycling achieved good overall performance on two organic farms. The three organic farms demonstrated good overall performance in terms of plant succession and biotic regulation, as well as in socio-economic processes, whereas the conventional farms showed weaker performances. MEDITAE contributed to collective reflections on how socio-ecological processes influenced system performance and how farmers' practices shaped these processes, thereby supporting an agroecological perspective, promoting learning, and empowering farmers to change practices.
SIGNIFICANCE
MEDITAE provides a generic framework for the diagnosis phase that connects a systemic farm characterisation to agroecological redesign. Its mechanistic approach facilitates the assessment of policy support for agroecology, strengthens agronomist training, and provides a foundation for inter- and transdisciplinary research.
{"title":"Operationalising agroecological diagnosis of vegetable farms to support co-innovation: The MEDITAE framework","authors":"M. Scarlato , M. Rieppi , I. Ferreira , S. Irurueta , D. Fernández , F.J.J.A. Bianchi , W.A.H. Rossing , S. Dogliotti","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The transition of farm systems towards agroecology requires an understanding of the ecological processes that support agroecosystem functioning. While co-innovation approaches have successfully supported learning for on-farm sustainability transitions, the diagnostic methods do not capture the ecological processes that underpin the functioning of agroecosystems.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>We present the MEDITAE framework, co-developed with practitioners to support the characterisation, diagnosis, and agroecological redesign of farm systems based on systemic learning.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>MEDITAE connects socio-ecological processes (nutrient, carbon and water cycling; plant succession and biotic regulation; energy flows; and socio-economic and cultural processes) with management and farm performance. Performance indicators are used to assess agroecosystem functioning, and practice-based indicators assess management practices that may explain performance. We applied MEDITAE to three organic and two conventional case study vegetable farms involved in a co-innovation project in Uruguay.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>All farms had a weak performance on nutrient cycling and energy flow processes, providing entry points for farm redesign. Carbon and water cycling achieved good overall performance on two organic farms. The three organic farms demonstrated good overall performance in terms of plant succession and biotic regulation, as well as in socio-economic processes, whereas the conventional farms showed weaker performances. MEDITAE contributed to collective reflections on how socio-ecological processes influenced system performance and how farmers' practices shaped these processes, thereby supporting an agroecological perspective, promoting learning, and empowering farmers to change practices.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>MEDITAE provides a generic framework for the diagnosis phase that connects a systemic farm characterisation to agroecological redesign. Its mechanistic approach facilitates the assessment of policy support for agroecology, strengthens agronomist training, and provides a foundation for inter- and transdisciplinary research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104617"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145732424","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104613
Pratishtha Poudel , Stephen M. Welch , Phillip D. Alderman , Xiaomao Lin
<div><h3>Context:</h3><div>Crop yield increases are lagging those required to avoid major mid-century food security disruptions. Skilled models are needed to predict environment-specific cropping outcomes for applications ranging from accelerating breeding program gain rates via efficient selection to sustainable, in-field production decision-making that incorporate genetic <span><math><mo>×</mo></math></span> environment <span><math><mo>×</mo></math></span> management interactions. In an attractive vision, genotype-specific ecophysiological crop model parameters are inferred by genomic prediction. However, these parameters are often unidentifiable from typically observed data, also known as the equifinality problem. This is because wide parameter value ranges generate identical predictions so alternative estimates are indistinguishable and, thus, unusable in genomic prediction training.</div></div><div><h3>Objective:</h3><div>Given a model with parameters, a prescribed data scheme and goodness-of-fit objective function this paper introduces a method to measure identifiability and semi-automate its improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Methods:</h3><div>Identifiability is innovatively quantified as the objective function’s Gaussian curvature at the parameter optimum. Higher values indicate a more easily searchable, bowl-like objective function response surface. Lower values imply a flatness that prevents unique parameter value identification.</div><div>A simplified, seven-parameter wheat model is analyzed, revealing two nearly unidentifiable parameters. Three analyses are presented: (1) increasing observation numbers, (2) adding a new observation type, and (3) automatically determining two parameters whose direct field measurement would maximally increase Gaussian curvature.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions:</h3><div>Two nearly unidentifiable parameters – Thermal time to end of leaf expansion (TTL) and thermal time to maturity (TTM) – were revealed. Analyses (2) and (3) drastically improved identifiability. After adding the new observation type (physiological maturity), Gaussian curvature increased by a factor of 7600. Likewise, when we fixed the values of the two parameters, the Gaussian curvature increased by a factor of <span><math><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>69</mn><mo>×</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>11</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>. Surprisingly, however, increasing observation numbers lowered identifiability for reasons related to the Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency objective function variant used. Relatedly, because the method is formally objective function agnostic, it can also ameliorate any non-uniqueness in model-based production decision aids that optimize economic objectives while integrating a full suite of in-field interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Significance:</h3><div>The demonstrated ability to maximize identifiability by optimizing both the data taken and model structure prior to actual field
{"title":"Co-design of crop monitoring-modeling systems via identifiability analysis","authors":"Pratishtha Poudel , Stephen M. Welch , Phillip D. Alderman , Xiaomao Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context:</h3><div>Crop yield increases are lagging those required to avoid major mid-century food security disruptions. Skilled models are needed to predict environment-specific cropping outcomes for applications ranging from accelerating breeding program gain rates via efficient selection to sustainable, in-field production decision-making that incorporate genetic <span><math><mo>×</mo></math></span> environment <span><math><mo>×</mo></math></span> management interactions. In an attractive vision, genotype-specific ecophysiological crop model parameters are inferred by genomic prediction. However, these parameters are often unidentifiable from typically observed data, also known as the equifinality problem. This is because wide parameter value ranges generate identical predictions so alternative estimates are indistinguishable and, thus, unusable in genomic prediction training.</div></div><div><h3>Objective:</h3><div>Given a model with parameters, a prescribed data scheme and goodness-of-fit objective function this paper introduces a method to measure identifiability and semi-automate its improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Methods:</h3><div>Identifiability is innovatively quantified as the objective function’s Gaussian curvature at the parameter optimum. Higher values indicate a more easily searchable, bowl-like objective function response surface. Lower values imply a flatness that prevents unique parameter value identification.</div><div>A simplified, seven-parameter wheat model is analyzed, revealing two nearly unidentifiable parameters. Three analyses are presented: (1) increasing observation numbers, (2) adding a new observation type, and (3) automatically determining two parameters whose direct field measurement would maximally increase Gaussian curvature.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions:</h3><div>Two nearly unidentifiable parameters – Thermal time to end of leaf expansion (TTL) and thermal time to maturity (TTM) – were revealed. Analyses (2) and (3) drastically improved identifiability. After adding the new observation type (physiological maturity), Gaussian curvature increased by a factor of 7600. Likewise, when we fixed the values of the two parameters, the Gaussian curvature increased by a factor of <span><math><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>69</mn><mo>×</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>11</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>. Surprisingly, however, increasing observation numbers lowered identifiability for reasons related to the Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency objective function variant used. Relatedly, because the method is formally objective function agnostic, it can also ameliorate any non-uniqueness in model-based production decision aids that optimize economic objectives while integrating a full suite of in-field interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Significance:</h3><div>The demonstrated ability to maximize identifiability by optimizing both the data taken and model structure prior to actual field","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104613"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734261","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}
Land degradation in red and lateritic soils of India, particularly in the northeast, poses a serious threat to agroecological stability, agricultural productivity, soil health, and rural livelihoods. Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as a sustainable approach for restoring degraded ecosystems, rejuvenating soil health, and improving farmers' livelihoods, yet region-specific empirical evidence remains limited.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the long-term ecological and economic viability of various agroforestry systems for rehabilitating degraded land and enhancing the delivery of multiple ecosystem services in red and lateritic soils of Northeast India.
METHODS
A decade-long agroforestry field experiment (2014–2024) with silvi species Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb), fruit plant sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), and grain legume pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) under monoculture and integrated agroforestry system was conducted in West Bengal in eastern India. Seven systems (monoculture and agroforestry-based) were evaluated using eleven biophysical and economic indicators, including biomass recycling, soil organic carbon, enzyme activity, microbial resilience, net margin, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The tri-component agroforestry system (Gmelina–sweet orange–pigeon pea) showed the highest multifunctionality index, producing 7.26 t ha−1 yr−1 of recyclable biomass, and significantly improving soil carbon, dehydrogenase activity, water-holding capacity, and biodiversity. Economically, this system outperformed monocultures with 2–3 times higher net margin and energy efficiency. Although associated with higher GHG emission, this system offered net environmental benefits through enhanced carbon sequestration and resilience.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study demonstrates that the locally adapted agroforestry systems have potential to restore degraded red and lateritic soils while delivering broad ecosystem services and improving farmers' livelihoods. These results support the scaling of such systems across similar agroecological zones in India and globally.
背景印度红土和红土的土地退化，特别是在东北部，对农业生态稳定性、农业生产力、土壤健康和农村生计构成严重威胁。农林业越来越被认为是恢复退化生态系统、恢复土壤健康和改善农民生计的可持续方法，但具体区域的经验证据仍然有限。本研究旨在评估各种农林业系统在恢复印度东北部红土和红土退化土地和增强多种生态系统服务提供方面的长期生态和经济可行性。方法2014-2024年，在印度东部西孟加拉邦进行了为期10年的农林业田间试验，试验采用单栽培-复合农林业系统，采用银银种Gmelina （Gmelina arborea Roxb）、果实植物甜橙（Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck）和籽粒豆科木豆（Cajanus cajan L. Millsp）。采用11个生物物理和经济指标对7个系统（以单一栽培和农林业为基础）进行了评估，包括生物质循环、土壤有机碳、酶活性、微生物恢复力、净边际和温室气体（GHG）排放。结果与结论三组分复合农林业系统（绿麦草-甜橙-鸽豆）的多功能性指数最高，可回收生物量为7.26 t ha - 1 yr - 1，显著提高了土壤碳、脱氢酶活性、持水能力和生物多样性。从经济上讲，该系统的净利润率和能源效率比单一栽培高2-3倍。虽然与较高的温室气体排放有关，但该系统通过增强碳固存和恢复力提供了净环境效益。本研究表明，适应当地的农林业系统具有恢复退化的红土和红土的潜力，同时提供广泛的生态系统服务并改善农民的生计。这些结果支持在印度和全球类似的农业生态区扩大这种系统的规模。
{"title":"Rehabilitating fragile ecosystems through agroforestry in red and lateritic soils: A multi-criteria systems perspective","authors":"Benukar Biswas , Debashis Chakraborty , Jagadish Timsina , Anandkumar Naorem , Mousumi Mondal , Sahely Kanthal , Saju Adhikary , Udayan Rudra Bhowmick , Pushpendu Sardar , Mallika Koley , Sk Moinuddin , Ashutosh Kumar , Kiranmay Patra , Trisha Manna , Arindam Sarkar , Kalyan Jana , Sanjib Kumar Das , Bikash Ranjan Ray","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Land degradation in red and lateritic soils of India, particularly in the northeast, poses a serious threat to agroecological stability, agricultural productivity, soil health, and rural livelihoods. Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as a sustainable approach for restoring degraded ecosystems, rejuvenating soil health, and improving farmers' livelihoods, yet region-specific empirical evidence remains limited.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the long-term ecological and economic viability of various agroforestry systems for rehabilitating degraded land and enhancing the delivery of multiple ecosystem services in red and lateritic soils of Northeast India.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A decade-long agroforestry field experiment (2014–2024) with silvi species Gmelina (<em>Gmelina arborea</em> Roxb), fruit plant sweet orange (<em>Citrus sinensis</em> L. Osbeck), and grain legume pigeon pea (<em>Cajanus cajan</em> L. Millsp) under monoculture and integrated agroforestry system was conducted in West Bengal in eastern India. Seven systems (monoculture and agroforestry-based) were evaluated using eleven biophysical and economic indicators, including biomass recycling, soil organic carbon, enzyme activity, microbial resilience, net margin, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</h3><div>The tri-component agroforestry system (Gmelina–sweet orange–pigeon pea) showed the highest multifunctionality index, producing 7.26 t ha<sup>−1</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup> of recyclable biomass, and significantly improving soil carbon, dehydrogenase activity, water-holding capacity, and biodiversity. Economically, this system outperformed monocultures with 2–3 times higher net margin and energy efficiency. Although associated with higher GHG emission, this system offered net environmental benefits through enhanced carbon sequestration and resilience.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study demonstrates that the locally adapted agroforestry systems have potential to restore degraded red and lateritic soils while delivering broad ecosystem services and improving farmers' livelihoods. These results support the scaling of such systems across similar agroecological zones in India and globally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104597"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734210","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}
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