Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"Algorithm aversion in agricultural decision-making: Trust dynamics, barriers, and fertiliser-related decision support","authors":"Jack H. Grant ,&nbsp;Dorothee Scharpenberg ,&nbsp;Louise Manning","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Algorithm-based fertiliser recommendations offer substantial potential to improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and support economic and environmental sustainability. However, adoption among farmers in the United Kingdom (UK) remains limited, partly due to algorithm aversion, i.e., the tendency to distrust or avoid algorithmic-generated recommendations, even when they provide benefits.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study examines algorithm aversion in fertiliser-related decision-making among UK farmers and agronomists. Aiming to identify key barriers to adopting decision-support tools (DSTs), improving understanding of stakeholder trust dynamics, and exploring strategies to improve uptake.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>An online survey of 50 farmers and 26 agronomists assessed confidence in algorithmic recommendations versus human advice, understanding of NUE, perceived adoption barriers, and openness to non-traditional fertiliser recommendations. A follow-up workshop with 10 participants in DSTs trials provided qualitative insights into trust and usability.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Farmers reported significantly greater trust in human advice compared to algorithmic recommendations (median 8 vs. 6, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), whereas agronomists showed the reverse pattern (median 8 vs. 7.0, <em>p</em> &lt; .001). Perceived barriers included cost concerns, poor system integration, complexity, and confusion over metrics. Whilst some farmers showed low levels of NUE literacy, agronomists demonstrated higher NUE literacy. Farmers relied on advice grounded in social trust and shared beliefs, while agronomists viewed algorithmic outputs as complements to technical expertise. Workshop participants found DST dashboards informative but often overwhelming.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Addressing algorithm aversion through improved interface design, transparency, and tailored education, particularly via trusted advisors, may bridge the trust gap and facilitate digital tool adoption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104630"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145837421","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":"Synergistic management enhances ecosystem services through optimized specialty agro-pastoralism in the context of food security","authors":"Jiahui Jiang ,&nbsp;Jian Hou ,&nbsp;Chen Zeng ,&nbsp;Haobo Feng ,&nbsp;Zhenxing Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Clarifying the intrinsic mechanisms by which specialty agro-pastoralism (specialty crops, livestock husbandry, cash crops, and forest products) affect ecosystem services will contribute to enhancing the stability and functional redundancy of ecosystem services and meeting the demands of sustainable specialty agro-pastoralism development. However, the relationships among ecosystem services, and specialty agro-pastoralism remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study systematically analyzed the mechanisms by which the spatial composition, configuration, and interactions of specialty agro-pastoralism affect ecosystem services and their trade-offs/synergies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study took typical alpine canyon areas of Southwest China as case and revealed the spatial composition and configuration of specialty agro-pastoralism. The key ecosystem services (Carbon sequestration (CS), Food supply (FS), Water yield (WY), and Soil retention (SR)) were evaluated. The trade-offs, synergies, and spatial heterogeneity patterns between ecosystem services were identified. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms by which interactions of specialty agro-pastoralism influence ecosystem services and their trade-offs/synergies were systematically explored.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Conclusions</h3><div>Specialty agro-pastoralism were predominantly distributed in the southern region, with higher density in the east than the west. Key components included widely distributed specialty crops (e.g., <em>Hordeum vulgare, Fagopyrum tataricum</em>), livestock husbandry (e.g., <em>Bos grunniens, Sus scrofa domesticus</em>), and cash crops (e.g., <em>Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Camellia sinensis</em>), while forest products (e.g., <em>Juglans regia, Zanthoxylum bungeanum</em>) were concentrated in the southern low mountain regions. Ecosystem service interactions showed dominant synergies (CS-WY, CS-SR, WY-SR) and notable trade-offs (CS-FS, FS-WY, FS-SR). Spatially, synergies clustered in less-disturbed western areas, while trade-offs concentrated in southern areas. Specialty agro-pastoralism as key regulators of ecosystem services, in which forest products and cash crops critically enhanced soil conservation. Interactions between forest products and cash crops mitigated spatial trade-offs by optimizing resource utilization, while interactions between livestock husbandry and forest products promoted spatial synergies through coordinated management of grassland and forest resources.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The findings provide scientific insights into the relationship between ecosystem services and specialty agro-pastoralism, as well as theoretical support for optimizing ecological agricultural layouts and sustainable development strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104600"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683342","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":"Greenhouse gas emission characteristics of farmland in the Guanzhong region under varied water-nitrogen management measures based on the DNDC model","authors":"Siya Wang ,&nbsp;Jiaxin Lu ,&nbsp;Shikun Sun ,&nbsp;Ruoqing Hu ,&nbsp;Jiabei Li ,&nbsp;Jie Pang ,&nbsp;Yuxin Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Irrigation and nitrogen application are essential agronomic practices for enhancing crop yields, yet they also represent potential levers for mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in cropping systems.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to identify optimal water‑nitrogen management strategies that maximize grain yield while minimizing GHG emissions in winter wheat-summer maize rotations within the Guanzhong Plain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC) model was rigorously calibrated and validated using empirical field datasets. Individual and synergistic effects of irrigation levels (spanning 0–120 % field capacity, FC) and nitrogen application rates (0–300 kg N ha⁻¹) on GHG emissions were evaluated through systematic simulations of 88 distinct water‑nitrogen management scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Conclusions</h3><div>Maximum yields were achieved at 85 % FC irrigation coupled with 225 kg N ha⁻¹ for winter wheat (8431 kg ha⁻¹) and 85 % FC irrigation with 250 kg N ha⁻¹ for summer maize (9806 kg ha⁻¹), beyond which yields plateaued. Cumulative N₂O emissions ranged from 0.07 to 0.75 kg N ha⁻¹ (wheat) and 0.10–1.37 kg N ha⁻¹ (maize). CO₂ emissions initially increased with inputs before stabilizing at 3050 kg C ha⁻¹ (wheat) and 2464 kg C ha⁻¹ (maize) under optimal regimes. Precision management (85 % FC + crop-specific N) synchronizes yield optimization with GHG mitigation, achieving 18–22 % emission reduction relative to conventional practices while maintaining 95–97 % of maximum yield potential.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This work establishes a scientifically validated framework for climate-smart cereal production in semi-arid regions. The identified water‑nitrogen regimes (85 % FC + 225 kg N ha⁻¹ wheat; 85 % FC + 250 kg N ha⁻¹ maize) enable sustainable intensification by concurrently addressing food security and decarbonization goals in global cropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104628"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880385","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":"Export-attributed carbon footprint of cotton production in arid China: A life cycle and driver analysis","authors":"Jian Liu ,&nbsp;Yu Zhang ,&nbsp;Cun Chang ,&nbsp;Shuai Wu ,&nbsp;Wei Yan ,&nbsp;Yonglong Han ,&nbsp;Yonghui Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaofei Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104632","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Cotton is a globally traded commodity with disproportionately large environmental costs. Although its land share is modest, input use and energy demand are high in arid irrigated systems. The Tarim River Basin (TRB) in Xinjiang, China—one of the country's principal cotton-producing regions—remains underrepresented in long-term, spatially explicit carbon accounting, particularly with respect to responsibilities embedded in international trade. An assessment that connects farm-level processes, export attribution, and driver diagnosis is needed to guide equitable and efficient decarbonization.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Quantify the carbon footprint of cotton production in the TRB on 1 km grids for 2000–2020; develop and apply a transparent export-attribution framework that assigns to the region an equitable share of emissions embedded in cotton trade from China; and isolate principal biophysical and socioeconomic drivers using ridge regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) to identify policy-sensitive levers for mitigation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We conducted a cradle-to-farm-gate life-cycle assessment (LCA) at a 1 km spatial resolution from 2000 to 2020. We compiled activity data and emission factors to derive product-, area-, and value-based indicators, including &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;Y&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (kg CO₂-eq·kg&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;), &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;A&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (kg CO₂-eq·hm&lt;sup&gt;−2&lt;/sup&gt;), and carbon economic efficiency (&lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CEE&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt;; kg CO₂-eq·CNY&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;; CNY denotes the Chinese yuan). A national-proportional export-attribution scheme was applied to allocate export-embedded carbon emissions to the TRB. Based on this allocation, trade-intensity metrics were calculated, including &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;msub&gt;&lt;mi&gt;Y&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;export&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/msub&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;msub&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CEE&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;export&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/msub&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt;. Drivers were quantified through ridge regression and a confirmatory SEM spanning land use, vegetation condition, topography, climate, and socioeconomic context; direct and indirect effects were decomposed. Uncertainty was examined via sensitivity tests on key activity data and emission factors.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results and Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Total emissions more than doubled from 2000 to 2020. In contrast, the intensity indicators changed differently: &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;Y&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; remained near 2.83 kg CO₂-eq·kg&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;, &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CEE&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; decreased from 0.25 to 0.14 kg CO₂-eq·CNY&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;, and &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;A&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; increased from about 3900 to 5200 kg CO₂-eq·hm&lt;sup&gt;−2&lt;/sup&gt;, indicating increasing land-based emission intensity. Dominant sources were labor (34.4 %), electricity (23.8 %), and diesel (14.8 %), highlighting priorities to modernize labor structure and decarbonize irrigation","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104632"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880386","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":"The economic irrationality of closing the yield gap in rainfed maize production – An extensification v intensification assessment in Dodoma, Tanzania","authors":"Gerardo E. van Halsema,&nbsp;Maria Christoforidou","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Current trends in SSA show a rapid expansion of the area in rainfed cereal production with persistent low yields. This, despite the long-established efforts to close the yield gap in SSA and promote high(er) yielding agricultural intensification (re. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa).</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>In this paper, we show why the extensification of low yielding rainfed agriculture in SSA, as reported, persists and forms a sensible strategy to pursue for small holders – both from an agronomic and economic point of view.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We do this by presenting the comparative modelling analysis for the low yield extensification and high yield intensification strategy for rainfed maize cultivation in Dodoma, Tanzania. The contrasting strategies were modelled and assessed using crop growth modelling (AquaCrop), 9 years of climatic data and economic data for costs and revenues. Data were obtained from online sources and past studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results &amp; conclusions</h3><div>Results show that low yield extensification under rainfed conditions is sensible, due to: (i) the staggering of planting dates that provide a better climate resilience for production; and (ii) a higher economic profitability, especially in the long term. Our results show that the economic risks (due to crop failure) of the high yielding intensification strategy become insurmountable for low-income households when both climate volatility and prices of chemical fertilisers increase.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Expanding agricultural rainfed area under low input, low cost, and low yield (as reported by FAO) is, as supported by our modelling results, a sensible risk management strategy to pursue for low-income households, that helps to explain its continuing practice. Finally, we will argue that in an era of increasing climatic and financial volatility affecting agricultural production, we will need to reorient our agricultural production systems from yield maximisation to risk optimisation. To halt the continuing expansion of rainfed agriculture, at the expense of nature, the focus will have to shift towards increasing and stabilising income for poor household under volatile climatic conditions. Our methods can be applied to assess the climatic risks of rainfed agriculture regions by determining the cut-off ratio at which extensification outperforms intensification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104656"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073689","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":"Cropland use intensity, stability, and crop transition dynamics in the Songhua River Basin (2000–2024): Implications for sustainable land use and food security","authors":"Lai Gan ,&nbsp;Xiao Xiao ,&nbsp;Yishan Li ,&nbsp;Qiyuan Hu ,&nbsp;Yang Lan ,&nbsp;Yang Xie ,&nbsp;Fei Lun","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The Songhua River Basin (SRB), a vital grain base within the global black soil belt, faces unquantified instability from agricultural intensification and urbanization. However, existing assessments fail to integrate long-term spatial cropland use intensity, stability, and fine-scale crop management transitions, limiting our understanding of agricultural resilience.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to quantify spatiotemporal dynamics and reveal the coupling mechanism between management practices and stability in the SRB. Specifically, we sought to: (1) characterize the spatiotemporal cropland dynamics; (2) unpack the nexus of cropland use intensity, stability and crop-type transitions; and (3) identify the driving forces and inform policy.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>To achieve these objectives, we developed an integrated framework to jointly assess cropland use intensity (CUI), cropland stability (CS), and crop-type transition pathways. We defined CUI as cumulative cultivated years and CS as a new index quantifying the persistence of cultivation within a pixel's dynamic land-use window (ratio of actual to potential years). Leveraging 25 years (2000–2024) of time-series Landsat imagery, we employed a Random Forest classifier to generate annual 30-m maps of cropland and major crops (maize, rice, soybean), achieving an overall accuracy &gt;90% and Kappa &gt;0.85.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Our analysis revealed a landscape of high commitment but fragile trade-offs. Over 55% of croplands exhibited very high use intensity (&gt;20 years), with 60% classified as Highly Stable (HS) or Fully Stable (FS), concentrated in the fertile midstream and downstream plains. However, a severe quality-quantity trade-off was identified: while 100.4 × 10³ km² of new land was reclaimed, 40% of this expansion remained Unstable (US), largely confined to ecologically marginal zones. Concurrently, 9.8 × 10³ km² of high-quality, stable cropland was irreversibly lost to urban expansion. Crucially, we established a strong non-linear coupling between stability and management: high-frequency crop-type transitions (i.e., rotation) were strictly associated with resilient, high-stability zones, whereas low-frequency patterns characterized the extremes of either monoculture or instability.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study provides a novel, integrated assessment moving beyond conventional area-based metrics. The findings offer a clear policy mandate for the SRB and similar grain bases: sustainable food security requires a paradigm shift from maintaining “cropland area balance” to managing “cropland stability,” prioritizing strict zoning to protect stable cropland and incentivizing sustainable rotation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104652"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073691","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":"Exploring entry points to circularity in food production from a farming system perspective","authors":"Jana Firse ,&nbsp;Veera Naukkarinen ,&nbsp;Marjaana Toivonen ,&nbsp;Carl Timler ,&nbsp;Jeroen Groot ,&nbsp;Rogier Schulte ,&nbsp;Kari Koppelmäki","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Redesigning food systems for circularity has been proposed as a strategy to reduce environmental impacts, reliance on external inputs, and to support a shift towards healthy diets. Finland's specialised and input-reliant food production systems combined with efforts to curb agricultural emissions and transition to more plant-based diets motivate exploration of future food system scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>We explored two entry points to circular food production, localised food systems and the production of plant-based foods, and analysed their potential to enhance the environmental performance of Finnish farms. We further aimed to complement larger scale studies on circularity with a farm level perspective that accounts for heterogeneity and the farmers' perspective.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We generated alternative farm configurations for eight specialised arable farms in Finland. This explorative modelling study was based on three scenarios: (i) farm development based on the farmers' preferences, (ii) a localised farming system increasing nutrient and biomass cycling, (iii) maximising the production of plant-based foods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Localised and plant-based scenarios resulted in distinctly different production systems. While scenario (ii) reduced food production but lowered environmental impacts and input reliance, scenario (iii) led to highest reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and increases in overall food production. Farmer-led redesigns (i) showed large variability in perceived options for change reflecting farm-specific lock-ins and opportunities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results underline the role of supporting objectives, such as self-sufficiency or dietary change in designing circular food systems. The heterogeneity across farms calls for a context-specific approach in supporting farmers to deliver on environmental goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104625"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920753","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":"Participatory modelling for agroecological transitions: Engaging stakeholders in transformative pathways","authors":"A. Bourceret ,&nbsp;A. Barbe ,&nbsp;C. Robert","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The worldwide use of synthetic pesticides has been rising for decades. Agroecology offers a promising alternative, but its adoption requires support from public policy and multi-scale institutional and social levers. Recent policy approaches integrate levers promoting collective and territorial collaboration, recognizing the local scale as crucial for agroecological transitions. These levers involve mobilizing territorial stakeholders and implementing context-specific levers.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Our objective is to better understand territorial levers that support agroecological transformation and associated practice change dynamics. We engaged with stakeholders using a generic territorial socio-ecological model to identify local levers and potential agroecological transition pathways.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>In the Barrois region (Eastern France), a participatory modelling initiative involved stakeholders from a farming territory aiming to reduce pesticide use. Three participatory workshops were organized to: (1) identify context-relevant levers; (2) calibrate the model based on the territory's current state; and (3) explore agricultural trajectories and supporting levers.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The use of the model highlights the dynamic and multi-factor nature of transitions. The workshops fostered rich dialogue and proposals, playing a central role in co-construction. Participants collectively identified levers such as awareness-raising, training initiatives, new stakeholder networks, and evolving advisory services. However, these levers vary depending on farmers' sensitivities and production types. Discussions emphasized the importance of involving not only farmers but also consumers and supply chains to drive change.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This participatory approach produced a more realistic model and created learning opportunities for all participants (researchers and agricultural stakeholders), despite challenges like communicating complex theoretical concepts and vocabulary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104634"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962527","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":"Farmer's own decisions outweigh management strategies in reducing pesticide use in apple orchards","authors":"Isis Poinas ,&nbsp;Bertrand Gauffre ,&nbsp;Julien Papaïx ,&nbsp;Manon Denis ,&nbsp;Xavier Said ,&nbsp;Claire Lavigne","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Efforts to reduce pesticide use, driven by concerns over their harmful effects on biodiversity and human health, have promoted alternative agricultural practices. How the farmers combine these practices in conjunction with field features, and the impact of these combinations on pesticide use remains poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aimed to identify orchard management strategies associated with reduced insecticide and fungicide use in apple orchards in south-eastern France. We further examined whether reductions in chemical pesticide use increased reliance on biopesticides, and evaluated the relative contributions of advisory organizations and farmers' identity to pesticide applications.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We collected data from 171 orchards managed by 51 farmers, who provided treatment schedules for 2021–2023. Treatment frequency indices were calculated by pesticide category (chemical fungicides, biocontrol insecticides…), further broken down by product family (copper, virus…), target pest and specificity. We used principal component analyses (PCAs) to identify major patterns in farmer's management strategies, combining both practices (Alt'Carpo netting, irrigation type…) and orchard features (row orientation, length of adjacent hedges…). The effects of these management strategies on variation in pesticide use were then investigated using linear mixed models that included the PCA coordinates of orchards as explanatory variables. Additional models were run to assess the effects of individual practices.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Pesticide use was driven primarily by farmer identity, with advisory organizations and management strategies exerting limited influence. No trade-off was observed between chemical pesticides and biopesticides: orchards sprayed with more chemical pesticides were also sprayed with more biopesticides. The absence of dominant strategies suggests considerable flexibility in orchard management. While some management strategies were associated with lower pesticide use, these effects were mainly attributable to a few single practices. Effective low-pesticide strategies included Alt'Carpo netting, an early variety, a windbreak hedge (all associated with reduced insecticide use), and flood irrigation without sprinklers (associated with reduced fungicide use). Overall, orchards with low pesticide use did not suffer higher pest or disease pressure.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study highlights significant potential for reducing pesticides in apple orchards, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of farmers' decision-making, regarding both pesticide applications and practices implemented at orchard establishment. Future research should further investigate these management strategies, with particular attention to their labor, market requirements and economic viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104609"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145734205","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":"Incorporating multifunctional value chain actors' varietal trait preferences in sweetpotato breeding programs: A pathway towards inclusive innovation","authors":"Julius Juma Okello ,&nbsp;Sylvester Okoth Ojwang ,&nbsp;David Jakinda Otieno ,&nbsp;Robert O.M. Mwanga ,&nbsp;Benard Yada ,&nbsp;Hugo Campos ,&nbsp;Simon Heck","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;CONTEXT&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;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.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;OBJECTIVE&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;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.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;METHODS&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;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.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;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.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;SIGNIFICANCE&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;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.&lt;/d","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104610"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","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}