Pub Date : 2025-10-25DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104544
Siyuan Wang , Liujun Xiao , Peter Smith , Zhongkui Luo , Jie Zhuang , Le Yu , Yue Qin , Enli Wang , Yuchuan Fan , Yang Guo , Liang Tang , Bing Liu , Leilei Liu , Weixing Cao , Yan Zhu
CONTEXT
Excessive nitrogen use in high-input agriculture has led to nitrogen loss, methane emissions, and soil degradation in rice paddies. While high soil quality can enhance rice yields and reduce environmental impacts, the level of improvement needed to ensure sustainable rice production in China remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to: (i) assess soil quality and sustainability of rice production systems in China; (ii) quantify the impact of soil quality improvement on rice production systems under various nitrogen application rates; and (iii) optimize soil quality and nitrogen application rate across subregions to meet yield, environmental, economic and sustainable targets.
METHODS
Using national field datasets (1981–2020) from China's rice production systems, we assess soil quality (integrating organic matter, total nitrogen, pH, and bulk density), rice yield and carbon footprint through process-based modeling and life cycle assessment. To evaluate the sustainability of rice production systems, we construct a sustainability index (SI) that incorporates socioeconomic, environmental, and cultivation return dimensions. Building on these assessments, we apply structural equation modeling to quantify the effects of climate, soil, and management on achieving yield, environmental, economic and sustainable targets.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Low- to medium-quality soils account for approximately 80 % of the cultivated farmland across China's major rice-growing regions. Our findings demonstrate that improving soil quality can increase rice yields by an average of 9 % and reduce yield-scaled carbon emissions by 6 %, with the most substantial yield gains observed in low-quality soils. Additionally, improved soil quality enables reductions in nitrogen input ranging from 20 to 116 kg N·ha−1 across subregions without compromising sustainability outcomes. Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and an optimal soil pH are positively associated with rice yield, economic return, and long-term sustainability, whereas higher bulk density and excessive nitrogen rates contribute to increased carbon emissions.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study highlights soil quality improvement as a long-term strategy for sustainable rice intensification, with regional integration of soil and nitrogen management contributing to resource-efficient and low-carbon agriculture in China.
在高投入农业中，过度使用氮已导致稻田氮流失、甲烷排放和土壤退化。虽然高土壤质量可以提高水稻产量并减少对环境的影响，但在中国，确保可持续水稻生产所需的改善程度尚不清楚。本研究旨在：(i)评估中国水稻生产系统的土壤质量和可持续性；（ii）量化不同施氮量下土壤质量改善对水稻生产系统的影响；(3)优化各分区域的土壤质量和氮肥施用量，以实现产量、环境、经济和可持续目标。方法利用1981-2020年中国水稻生产系统的国家田间数据集，通过基于过程的建模和生命周期评估，评估土壤质量（综合有机质、全氮、pH和容重）、水稻产量和碳足迹。为了评估水稻生产系统的可持续性，我们构建了一个包含社会经济、环境和种植回报维度的可持续性指数（SI）。在这些评估的基础上，我们应用结构方程模型来量化气候、土壤和管理对实现产量、环境、经济和可持续目标的影响。结果与结论在中国主要水稻产区，中、慢质土壤约占耕地的80%。我们的研究结果表明，改善土壤质量可以使水稻产量平均提高9%，并将产量规模的碳排放量减少6%，其中在低质量土壤中观察到的产量增幅最大。此外，土壤质量的改善可以在不影响可持续性成果的情况下，在各次区域减少20至116 kg N·ha - 1的氮投入。土壤有机质、全氮和最佳土壤pH值与水稻产量、经济回报和长期可持续性呈正相关，而较高的容重和过量的施氮量会增加碳排放。本研究强调土壤质量改善是水稻可持续集约化的长期战略，土壤和氮的区域一体化管理有助于中国实现资源节约型和低碳农业。
{"title":"Improving soil quality enables reductions in nitrogen application rate in China's rice production systems","authors":"Siyuan Wang , Liujun Xiao , Peter Smith , Zhongkui Luo , Jie Zhuang , Le Yu , Yue Qin , Enli Wang , Yuchuan Fan , Yang Guo , Liang Tang , Bing Liu , Leilei Liu , Weixing Cao , Yan Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Excessive nitrogen use in high-input agriculture has led to nitrogen loss, methane emissions, and soil degradation in rice paddies. While high soil quality can enhance rice yields and reduce environmental impacts, the level of improvement needed to ensure sustainable rice production in China remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to: (i) assess soil quality and sustainability of rice production systems in China; (ii) quantify the impact of soil quality improvement on rice production systems under various nitrogen application rates; and (iii) optimize soil quality and nitrogen application rate across subregions to meet yield, environmental, economic and sustainable targets.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Using national field datasets (1981–2020) from China's rice production systems, we assess soil quality (integrating organic matter, total nitrogen, pH, and bulk density), rice yield and carbon footprint through process-based modeling and life cycle assessment. To evaluate the sustainability of rice production systems, we construct a sustainability index (SI) that incorporates socioeconomic, environmental, and cultivation return dimensions. Building on these assessments, we apply structural equation modeling to quantify the effects of climate, soil, and management on achieving yield, environmental, economic and sustainable targets.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Low- to medium-quality soils account for approximately 80 % of the cultivated farmland across China's major rice-growing regions. Our findings demonstrate that improving soil quality can increase rice yields by an average of 9 % and reduce yield-scaled carbon emissions by 6 %, with the most substantial yield gains observed in low-quality soils. Additionally, improved soil quality enables reductions in nitrogen input ranging from 20 to 116 kg N·ha<sup>−1</sup> across subregions without compromising sustainability outcomes. Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and an optimal soil pH are positively associated with rice yield, economic return, and long-term sustainability, whereas higher bulk density and excessive nitrogen rates contribute to increased carbon emissions.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study highlights soil quality improvement as a long-term strategy for sustainable rice intensification, with regional integration of soil and nitrogen management contributing to resource-efficient and low-carbon agriculture in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104544"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358700","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 : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104533
Ignacio Paparamborda , Walter A.H. Rossing , Pablo Soca , Santiago Dogliotti
CONTEXT
Cow-calf systems on native grasslands dominate family farms in South America. Little is known about the diversity of the practices implemented by farmers and their relation to the productive outcomes achieved.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to classify Uruguayan cow-calf farm systems based on distinct combinations of strategic, tactical, and decision-supporting techniques and their productive results.
METHODS
We used two datasets combined with archetype and discriminant analyses. The first, more general dataset contained results from a representative survey of Uruguayan livestock farms. The second, highly detailed dataset included information on 28 family farms that had participated in a co-innovation project. The first dataset was used to elucidate archetypes. Next, each of the 28 farms were assigned to the archetypes using discriminant analysis. Finally, the archetypes were compared in terms of structural and functional variables.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Four archetypes (A1 to A4) of cow-calf systems emerged. A1 and A4 exhibited strongly contrasting levels of technique implementation, while A2 and A3 were intermediate. The archetype with the highest level of technique application (A1) achieved the best performance in beef production, weaning percentage, and weight of calves at weaning as well as in trophic and conversion efficiency. Surprisingly, no differences in above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) were detected, which questions the sensitivity of the widely used remote-sensing based indicator. The difference in productive performance between the archetypes represents a gap that can be closed by increasing the application of ecological intensification techniques.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our results indicate that knowledge and application of ecologically intensive management rather than farm resource endowment is the primary factor enabling productivity and trophic efficiency increases in cow-calf systems on the Pampas and Campos. The results call for investment in training and support of farmers, using a systems perspective.
{"title":"Archetypes of cow-calf systems on Campos grasslands from an ecological intensification perspective, their productivity and trophic performance","authors":"Ignacio Paparamborda , Walter A.H. Rossing , Pablo Soca , Santiago Dogliotti","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104533","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104533","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Cow-calf systems on native grasslands dominate family farms in South America. Little is known about the diversity of the practices implemented by farmers and their relation to the productive outcomes achieved.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aimed to classify Uruguayan cow-calf farm systems based on distinct combinations of strategic, tactical, and decision-supporting techniques and their productive results.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We used two datasets combined with archetype and discriminant analyses. The first, more general dataset contained results from a representative survey of Uruguayan livestock farms. The second, highly detailed dataset included information on 28 family farms that had participated in a co-innovation project. The first dataset was used to elucidate archetypes. Next, each of the 28 farms were assigned to the archetypes using discriminant analysis. Finally, the archetypes were compared in terms of structural and functional variables.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Four archetypes (A1 to A4) of cow-calf systems emerged. A1 and A4 exhibited strongly contrasting levels of technique implementation, while A2 and A3 were intermediate. The archetype with the highest level of technique application (A1) achieved the best performance in beef production, weaning percentage, and weight of calves at weaning as well as in trophic and conversion efficiency. Surprisingly, no differences in above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) were detected, which questions the sensitivity of the widely used remote-sensing based indicator. The difference in productive performance between the archetypes represents a gap that can be closed by increasing the application of ecological intensification techniques.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Our results indicate that knowledge and application of ecologically intensive management rather than farm resource endowment is the primary factor enabling productivity and trophic efficiency increases in cow-calf systems on the Pampas and Campos. The results call for investment in training and support of farmers, using a systems perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104533"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358699","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 : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104539
Donald S. Gaydon , Sukamal Sarkar , Mohammed Mainuddin , Edward G. Barrett-Lennard , Richard W. Bell , Koushik Brahmachari , Md. Maniruzzaman , Buddheswar Maji , Md. Alimur Rahman , Md. Enamul Kabir , Md.Harunor. Rashid , Md. Shahidul Islam Khan , Mustafa Kamal Shahadat , Khokan Kumer Sarker , Mark R. Glover , Sukanta Kumar Sarangi , Apurbo Kumar Chaki , Dhiman Burman , Md. Belal Hossain , Uttam Kumar Mandal , Manoj Kumar Nanda
<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Agricultural productivity in the coastal saline zones of the Ganges Delta in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India faces significant constraints due to high soil salinity, seasonal waterlogging, freshwater scarcity, and increasing climatic variability. These challenges collectively limit the sustainability and intensification of dry season (<em>Rabi</em>) cropping systems, thereby impeding regional food security and livelihoods.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the key biophysical constraints affecting <em>Rabi</em> season cropping systems and to evaluate the integration of key agronomic and water management technologies using a combination of field experimentation and cropping systems modelling, with the goal of supporting climate-resilient intensification in coastal saline environments.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Two years of field experimentation were conducted across multiple locations, generating a comprehensive validation dataset comprising 139 crop instances, including transplanted Aman (T. Aman) rice, wheat, maize, sunflower, grass pea, and lentil. These datasets represented a diverse range of potentially integratable technologies and agroecological conditions. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), employing the APSIM-SWIM3 module, was used to simulate crop production outcomes for a range of different integrated technologies. To achieve this, a novel modelling approach was developed to dynamically simulate surface soil salinity and moisture, and then its subsequent effects on crop production, using daily inputs of water table depth, salinity, irrigation, and climatic data.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>APSIM simulations closely matched observed field data, with performance metrics (RMSE, R<sup>2</sup>) falling within acceptable ranges of experimental uncertainty. Long-term (25-years) scenario analyses demonstrated that advancing sowing dates by 15–30 days could substantially increase yield potential by reducing salinity exposure during critical crop stages. However, early sowing increased the risk of waterlogging, especially in low-lying fields. In some cases, the incorporation of in-field drainage structures was shown to mitigate waterlogging risks effectively. In situations where this is not possible due to landscape constraints, model-based identification of optimal sowing periods provided a viable alternative to reduce risk of waterlogging. Additionally, the retention of crop residues was shown to reduce surface soil evaporation and salinity accumulation, increasing yield, particularly in late-sown <em>Rabi</em> crops.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Focusing on the integration of four key technologies— short-season improved Kharif rice varieties, early Rabi crop sowing, field drainage, and crop residue retention—this study delivers a validated, model-supported decision framework for enhancing <em>Rabi</em> cropping in coa
{"title":"Achieving the once-unthinkable: Successful Rabi cropping via technology integration in coastal saline Bengal","authors":"Donald S. Gaydon , Sukamal Sarkar , Mohammed Mainuddin , Edward G. Barrett-Lennard , Richard W. Bell , Koushik Brahmachari , Md. Maniruzzaman , Buddheswar Maji , Md. Alimur Rahman , Md. Enamul Kabir , Md.Harunor. Rashid , Md. Shahidul Islam Khan , Mustafa Kamal Shahadat , Khokan Kumer Sarker , Mark R. Glover , Sukanta Kumar Sarangi , Apurbo Kumar Chaki , Dhiman Burman , Md. Belal Hossain , Uttam Kumar Mandal , Manoj Kumar Nanda","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104539","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104539","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Agricultural productivity in the coastal saline zones of the Ganges Delta in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India faces significant constraints due to high soil salinity, seasonal waterlogging, freshwater scarcity, and increasing climatic variability. These challenges collectively limit the sustainability and intensification of dry season (<em>Rabi</em>) cropping systems, thereby impeding regional food security and livelihoods.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the key biophysical constraints affecting <em>Rabi</em> season cropping systems and to evaluate the integration of key agronomic and water management technologies using a combination of field experimentation and cropping systems modelling, with the goal of supporting climate-resilient intensification in coastal saline environments.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Two years of field experimentation were conducted across multiple locations, generating a comprehensive validation dataset comprising 139 crop instances, including transplanted Aman (T. Aman) rice, wheat, maize, sunflower, grass pea, and lentil. These datasets represented a diverse range of potentially integratable technologies and agroecological conditions. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), employing the APSIM-SWIM3 module, was used to simulate crop production outcomes for a range of different integrated technologies. To achieve this, a novel modelling approach was developed to dynamically simulate surface soil salinity and moisture, and then its subsequent effects on crop production, using daily inputs of water table depth, salinity, irrigation, and climatic data.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>APSIM simulations closely matched observed field data, with performance metrics (RMSE, R<sup>2</sup>) falling within acceptable ranges of experimental uncertainty. Long-term (25-years) scenario analyses demonstrated that advancing sowing dates by 15–30 days could substantially increase yield potential by reducing salinity exposure during critical crop stages. However, early sowing increased the risk of waterlogging, especially in low-lying fields. In some cases, the incorporation of in-field drainage structures was shown to mitigate waterlogging risks effectively. In situations where this is not possible due to landscape constraints, model-based identification of optimal sowing periods provided a viable alternative to reduce risk of waterlogging. Additionally, the retention of crop residues was shown to reduce surface soil evaporation and salinity accumulation, increasing yield, particularly in late-sown <em>Rabi</em> crops.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Focusing on the integration of four key technologies— short-season improved Kharif rice varieties, early Rabi crop sowing, field drainage, and crop residue retention—this study delivers a validated, model-supported decision framework for enhancing <em>Rabi</em> cropping in coa","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104539"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324140","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 : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104520
Melanie McCaig , Davar Rezania , Rozita Dara
CONTEXT
The digitalisation of agriculture through Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is promoted as a driver of efficiency and sustainability, yet adoption remains uneven, particularly where farmers face barriers of skills, trust, and infrastructure.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores how Canadian farmers, industry representatives, and government officials construct discourses around IoT adoption, and how these shape opportunities, constraints, and legitimacy.
METHODS
We conducted 47 semi-structured interviews with farmers, industry actors, and government officials. Thematic analysis identified 12 themes, organised along two continua: individual versus structural opportunities and rational versus cultural elements. The analysis was guided by a dual lens framework of opportunity structures and loose coupling.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Adoption depended on both individual capacities (training, simplicity, digital literacy) and structural conditions (labour, routines, connectivity). Legitimacy was negotiated through rational evaluations of utility and risk and cultural considerations such as values, ethics, and identity. Adoption unfolded through loosely coupled discourses, producing incremental and uneven rather than uniform diffusion.
SIGNIFICANCE
The study advances debates on agricultural digitalisation by showing how adoption is experienced through everyday practices, negotiated legitimacy, and loosely coupled diffusion. Beyond Canada, the framework offers a transferable lens for analysing contested adoption in agriculture and other socio-technical systems.
{"title":"Digitalising agriculture with the internet of things: Insights from Canadian collaborators","authors":"Melanie McCaig , Davar Rezania , Rozita Dara","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The digitalisation of agriculture through Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is promoted as a driver of efficiency and sustainability, yet adoption remains uneven, particularly where farmers face barriers of skills, trust, and infrastructure.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study explores how Canadian farmers, industry representatives, and government officials construct discourses around IoT adoption, and how these shape opportunities, constraints, and legitimacy.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We conducted 47 semi-structured interviews with farmers, industry actors, and government officials. Thematic analysis identified 12 themes, organised along two continua: individual versus structural opportunities and rational versus cultural elements. The analysis was guided by a dual lens framework of opportunity structures and loose coupling.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Adoption depended on both individual capacities (training, simplicity, digital literacy) and structural conditions (labour, routines, connectivity). Legitimacy was negotiated through rational evaluations of utility and risk and cultural considerations such as values, ethics, and identity. Adoption unfolded through loosely coupled discourses, producing incremental and uneven rather than uniform diffusion.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>The study advances debates on agricultural digitalisation by showing how adoption is experienced through everyday practices, negotiated legitimacy, and loosely coupled diffusion. Beyond Canada, the framework offers a transferable lens for analysing contested adoption in agriculture and other socio-technical systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104520"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324141","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}
Organic agriculture (OA) is promoted in the European Union (EU) as a sustainable form of agriculture. However, its expansion may be limited by its dependence on external nitrogen (N) resources, such as conventional manure and imported feed, as it prohibits the use of industrial fertilisers. There is currently no consensus on the role of livestock in scenarios of OA expansion, despite their critical contribution to increasing soil fertility through grazing and nutrient cycling via manure and urine.
OBJECTIVE
Here, we explored the expansion of OA with a view to having 25 % of total agricultural land under OA by 2030, as defined by the EU Green Deal policy, using two development pathways for organic and conventional livestock: business as usual (BAU) and halving the number of livestock (HL).
METHODS
We modelled N flows for organic, conventional and the entire agricultural system using an existing N budget model applied at the national scale for France.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that changing the numbers of livestock species when expanding OA influences N availability. Transitioning to 25 % of agricultural land under OA along with increasing the number of organic livestock in the BAU and HL scenarios decreased total N input, especially industrial fertiliser and feed imports, by 9 % and 28 %, respectively, while decreasing N surpluses by 9 % and 26 %, respectively. In parallel, in the BAU and HL scenarios, biological N fixation increased by 32 % and 61 %, respectively, N output in animal and crop products decreased by 9 % and 30 %, respectively, due to the lower productivity of organic livestock and crops. Notably, this transition implied decreasing human consumption of animal products in the BAU and HL scenarios by 5 % and 30 %, respectively. The scenarios demonstrated the key contribution of livestock and biological N fixation of legumes to the expansion of OA, but further analysis is required, such as considering changes in human diets, farming practices or land use.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study highlights simultaneous trade-offs of two agricultural systems at the national scale.
{"title":"Performances of conventional and organic livestock development scenarios in France through nitrogen flow analysis","authors":"Fanny Vergely, Aurélie Wilfart, Joël Aubin, Souhil Harchaoui","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Organic agriculture (OA) is promoted in the European Union (EU) as a sustainable form of agriculture. However, its expansion may be limited by its dependence on external nitrogen (N) resources, such as conventional manure and imported feed, as it prohibits the use of industrial fertilisers. There is currently no consensus on the role of livestock in scenarios of OA expansion, despite their critical contribution to increasing soil fertility through grazing and nutrient cycling via manure and urine.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Here, we explored the expansion of OA with a view to having 25 % of total agricultural land under OA by 2030, as defined by the EU Green Deal policy, using two development pathways for organic and conventional livestock: business as usual (BAU) and halving the number of livestock (HL).</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We modelled N flows for organic, conventional and the entire agricultural system using an existing N budget model applied at the national scale for France.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results indicated that changing the numbers of livestock species when expanding OA influences N availability. Transitioning to 25 % of agricultural land under OA along with increasing the number of organic livestock in the BAU and HL scenarios decreased total N input, especially industrial fertiliser and feed imports, by 9 % and 28 %, respectively, while decreasing N surpluses by 9 % and 26 %, respectively. In parallel, in the BAU and HL scenarios, biological N fixation increased by 32 % and 61 %, respectively, N output in animal and crop products decreased by 9 % and 30 %, respectively, due to the lower productivity of organic livestock and crops. Notably, this transition implied decreasing human consumption of animal products in the BAU and HL scenarios by 5 % and 30 %, respectively. The scenarios demonstrated the key contribution of livestock and biological N fixation of legumes to the expansion of OA, but further analysis is required, such as considering changes in human diets, farming practices or land use.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study highlights simultaneous trade-offs of two agricultural systems at the national scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104527"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325242","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 : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104530
Divya Solomon , Andrew McDonald , Christopher B Barrett , Prakashan Chellattan Veettil , Buta Singh Dhillon
<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Air pollution from rice residue burning in Northwest India remains an acute environmental and public health threat despite significant and sustained public investments in new technologies.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study investigates how farmers make decisions on rice residue management in Punjab State in Northwest India and why rice residue burning persists despite increase in <em>in situ</em> and <em>ex situ</em> rice residue management options.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The study uses a mixed methods approach that combines qualitative analysis of 90 semi-structured farmer interviews that account for sub-regional differences in burning, followed by a quantitative analysis using secondary and spatial data from the years 2018–22 to identify key seasonal factors that determine residue burning patterns. Using this multi-scalar mixed methods approach we identify key social, economic, technological, and environmental factors that form the basis of crop residue management decisions and residue-burning practices in the study region.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The qualitative analysis indicates that a complete shift away from burning is associated with a combination of evolving community norms discouraging the practice, machinery access along with appropriate agronomic practices, and provision of technological support services. In regions where burning persists, agronomic practices including cultivation of long duration rice and environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall around rice harvest contribute to year-to-year variation in the choice of rice residue management methods. An increase in ‘partial’ burning practices, where farmers burn loose straw was also documented and associated with the field use of <em>in situ</em> residue management machinery without complementary technologies. Results from the quantitative analysis confirm that the introduction of these technologies are not significantly associated with reductions in residue burning, while the growing length of rice, particularly beyond 115 days is significantly associated with increase in residue burning. The results also indicate that seasonal weather factors including temperature and rainfall as well as soil water index are significantly associated with residue burning intensity.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Based on our results, we suggest short term interventions focused on tactical solutions including, residue monitoring along with deployment of residue collection to curb burning, medium term interventions focused on improving residue management options including developing value chains for residue and improving the technology landscape and long term shifts toward more environmentally sustainable and resilient agricultural practices including foundational changes in farm management practices and crop diversification to permanently curb residue burning practices in the region.</div></d
{"title":"Understanding the persistence of rice residue burning in northwestern India: A mixed methods approach","authors":"Divya Solomon , Andrew McDonald , Christopher B Barrett , Prakashan Chellattan Veettil , Buta Singh Dhillon","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104530","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Air pollution from rice residue burning in Northwest India remains an acute environmental and public health threat despite significant and sustained public investments in new technologies.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study investigates how farmers make decisions on rice residue management in Punjab State in Northwest India and why rice residue burning persists despite increase in <em>in situ</em> and <em>ex situ</em> rice residue management options.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The study uses a mixed methods approach that combines qualitative analysis of 90 semi-structured farmer interviews that account for sub-regional differences in burning, followed by a quantitative analysis using secondary and spatial data from the years 2018–22 to identify key seasonal factors that determine residue burning patterns. Using this multi-scalar mixed methods approach we identify key social, economic, technological, and environmental factors that form the basis of crop residue management decisions and residue-burning practices in the study region.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The qualitative analysis indicates that a complete shift away from burning is associated with a combination of evolving community norms discouraging the practice, machinery access along with appropriate agronomic practices, and provision of technological support services. In regions where burning persists, agronomic practices including cultivation of long duration rice and environmental factors such as temperature and rainfall around rice harvest contribute to year-to-year variation in the choice of rice residue management methods. An increase in ‘partial’ burning practices, where farmers burn loose straw was also documented and associated with the field use of <em>in situ</em> residue management machinery without complementary technologies. Results from the quantitative analysis confirm that the introduction of these technologies are not significantly associated with reductions in residue burning, while the growing length of rice, particularly beyond 115 days is significantly associated with increase in residue burning. The results also indicate that seasonal weather factors including temperature and rainfall as well as soil water index are significantly associated with residue burning intensity.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Based on our results, we suggest short term interventions focused on tactical solutions including, residue monitoring along with deployment of residue collection to curb burning, medium term interventions focused on improving residue management options including developing value chains for residue and improving the technology landscape and long term shifts toward more environmentally sustainable and resilient agricultural practices including foundational changes in farm management practices and crop diversification to permanently curb residue burning practices in the region.</div></d","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104530"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325240","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 : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104535
Margot Gumbau, Johanna Kupka, Laurent Penet, François Causeret, Jean-Marc Blazy
CONTEXT
Decreasing recourse to chemicals in agriculture is a major challenge in the development of more sustainable agrosystems. Conservation biological control could be key to addressing this challenge by promoting pest regulation using natural enemies.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated ex ante perceptions and preferences of farmers about conservation biological control via the use of service plants to attract parasitoids. The aim of this study is to allow for designing systems matching with farmers vision, with higher chances of adoption.
METHODS
We interviewed 30 farmers involved in cucumber production in Guadeloupe, and used survey results to build a typology of farms. Farm Types were then assessed for characteristics with a focus on innovation variables. We further assessed how preferences, constraints and opportunities about service plants aiming for biological control differed among farm types. Variable significance was assessed with ANOVA and Chi-square testing, and we processed with post-hoc tests for significantly impacting variables. Finally, we translated these results into recommendations for agricultural systems and policy design.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
We documented a general interest in innovation but heterogeneity across farm types in terms of farmers' willingness to test and to adopt specific innovation. Knowledge about natural regulation was key for adoption. Workload and cash flow constraints significantly limited adoption of service plants. Despite differences in adoption levels, all farmers shared the same perception of constraints and opportunities for adoption and demonstrated similar preferences regarding service plant traits. Integrating service plants relevant to biological control in the fields should also consider other benefits and services to farmers, and should be supported by broad minded policies and training accessibility.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our results highlight that integrating service plants in innovative cropping schemes should consider farmers preferences and constraints and envision multiple criteria for success, as well as supporting policies for adoption.
{"title":"Farmers' preferences for adoption of service plants in biological control and implications for agricultural system design","authors":"Margot Gumbau, Johanna Kupka, Laurent Penet, François Causeret, Jean-Marc Blazy","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104535","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104535","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Decreasing recourse to chemicals in agriculture is a major challenge in the development of more sustainable agrosystems. Conservation biological control could be key to addressing this challenge by promoting pest regulation using natural enemies.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>We investigated ex ante perceptions and preferences of farmers about conservation biological control via the use of service plants to attract parasitoids. The aim of this study is to allow for designing systems matching with farmers vision, with higher chances of adoption.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We interviewed 30 farmers involved in cucumber production in Guadeloupe, and used survey results to build a typology of farms. Farm Types were then assessed for characteristics with a focus on innovation variables. We further assessed how preferences, constraints and opportunities about service plants aiming for biological control differed among farm types. Variable significance was assessed with ANOVA and Chi-square testing, and we processed with post-hoc tests for significantly impacting variables. Finally, we translated these results into recommendations for agricultural systems and policy design.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</h3><div>We documented a general interest in innovation but heterogeneity across farm types in terms of farmers' willingness to test and to adopt specific innovation. Knowledge about natural regulation was key for adoption. Workload and cash flow constraints significantly limited adoption of service plants. Despite differences in adoption levels, all farmers shared the same perception of constraints and opportunities for adoption and demonstrated similar preferences regarding service plant traits. Integrating service plants relevant to biological control in the fields should also consider other benefits and services to farmers, and should be supported by broad minded policies and training accessibility.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Our results highlight that integrating service plants in innovative cropping schemes should consider farmers preferences and constraints and envision multiple criteria for success, as well as supporting policies for adoption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104535"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325241","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104538
Jie Xiao , Yiling Yang , Kangning Xiong , Shilian Jiang , Yunting Huang
CONTEXT
Environmental vulnerability, distinct from climatic vulnerability, is significantly shaped by human–environment interactions. Agroforestry systems in karst desertification areas are key components in sustaining crop production, livelihoods, and ecological restoration. However, the feedback mechanisms that influence their vulnerability and resilience remain understudied.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the environmental vulnerability of agroforestry systems in karst desertification areas and explore the dynamic relationship between vulnerability and resilience. By identifying the key drivers of vulnerability, we provide actionable insights for enhancing sustainable agricultural management.
METHODS
This manuscript has established a comprehensive index calculation system employing subjective-objective combined weighting, which integrates regional meteorological data, field sampling data of plant and soil characteristics, government reports, and farmer interview data. The research employs multiple statistical methods including analysis of variance, sensitivity analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, stepwise regression, random forest regression, redundancy analysis, and hierarchical partitioning to test relevant hypotheses and quantitatively assess environmental vulnerability and resilience in karst desertification area versus non-desertification area.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Our research demonstrates that environmental vulnerability indices of agroforestry systems in karst desertification areas fluctuate within a range of 0.35 (low vulnerability) to 0.67 (high vulnerability), which are generally lower than those in karst non-desertification regions. This difference is primarily attributed to the varying priorities and resource investments that agroforestry systems have received in participating in karst desertification ecological control. Further integration of these differences reveals that key factors affecting environmental vulnerability of agroforestry systems include agronomic management disturbance measures, rock exposure rates, slope gradients, soil thickness, soil quality, and net primary productivity. Based on these factors, our analysis reveals close correlations between vulnerability drivers and both adaptive capacity and recovery capacity within the resilience indicator framework. Notably, whilst karst desertification areas have prioritised protection and restoration measures, agroforestry systems in karst non-desertification areas exhibit higher vulnerability due to excessive agronomic management interference and insufficient ecological control resource investment. The inverse relationship between vulnerability and resilience highlights the importance of developing contextualised strategies tailored to the unique conditions of karst agroforestry systems.
{"title":"Enhancing agroforestry system resilience: Harnessing environmental vulnerability data to map restoration and pave the way for karst desertification control","authors":"Jie Xiao , Yiling Yang , Kangning Xiong , Shilian Jiang , Yunting Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Environmental vulnerability, distinct from climatic vulnerability, is significantly shaped by human–environment interactions. Agroforestry systems in karst desertification areas are key components in sustaining crop production, livelihoods, and ecological restoration. However, the feedback mechanisms that influence their vulnerability and resilience remain understudied.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the environmental vulnerability of agroforestry systems in karst desertification areas and explore the dynamic relationship between vulnerability and resilience. By identifying the key drivers of vulnerability, we provide actionable insights for enhancing sustainable agricultural management.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>This manuscript has established a comprehensive index calculation system employing subjective-objective combined weighting, which integrates regional meteorological data, field sampling data of plant and soil characteristics, government reports, and farmer interview data. The research employs multiple statistical methods including analysis of variance, sensitivity analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, stepwise regression, random forest regression, redundancy analysis, and hierarchical partitioning to test relevant hypotheses and quantitatively assess environmental vulnerability and resilience in karst desertification area versus non-desertification area.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Our research demonstrates that environmental vulnerability indices of agroforestry systems in karst desertification areas fluctuate within a range of 0.35 (low vulnerability) to 0.67 (high vulnerability), which are generally lower than those in karst non-desertification regions. This difference is primarily attributed to the varying priorities and resource investments that agroforestry systems have received in participating in karst desertification ecological control. Further integration of these differences reveals that key factors affecting environmental vulnerability of agroforestry systems include agronomic management disturbance measures, rock exposure rates, slope gradients, soil thickness, soil quality, and net primary productivity. Based on these factors, our analysis reveals close correlations between vulnerability drivers and both adaptive capacity and recovery capacity within the resilience indicator framework. Notably, whilst karst desertification areas have prioritised protection and restoration measures, agroforestry systems in karst non-desertification areas exhibit higher vulnerability due to excessive agronomic management interference and insufficient ecological control resource investment. The inverse relationship between vulnerability and resilience highlights the importance of developing contextualised strategies tailored to the unique conditions of karst agroforestry systems.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study establishes a","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104538"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324158","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104537
Fei Liu , Di Zheng , Dongyang Zhao , Bo Wen
CONTEXT
Exploring the spatiotemporal patterns and evolution of spatial association networks of agricultural innovation ecosystems is crucial for coordinated regional agricultural development. Currently, its development exhibits regional imbalance, and the overall level needs further improvement.
OBJECTIVE
Based on China's provincial data from 2012 to 2023, an evaluation index system is constructed to explore the spatiotemporal pattern evolution, centroid migration, dispersion trends, and characteristics of spatial association networks of agricultural innovation ecosystems.
METHODS
Methods including game theory-based combined weighting, kernel density estimation, standard deviation ellipse, modified gravity model, and social network analysis are adopted.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Temporally, indices at national and four regional levels show fluctuating upward trends; inter-provincial growth gaps expand, with the eastern region at the highest level, while the western and northeastern regions have similar levels with balanced intra-regional development.
Spatially, overall levels improve with narrowing regional differences, showing a gradient decrease from southeast to northwest; the centroid shifts from northwest to southeast, tending toward spatial convergence.
Association networks present complex multi-line structures with good connectivity, with increasing network density but declining hierarchy and efficiency.
In spatial clustering, eastern and southern regions are mostly net beneficiary areas, western regions are mainly net spillover areas, the central region plays an intermediary role, and inter-block effects have significantly improved.
SIGNIFICANCE
Theoretically, it enriches quantitative research paradigms, fills gaps in spatiotemporal evolution and association network mechanisms, and deepens theoretical cognition from a complex system perspective.
Practically, it provides a basis for improving overall levels, formulating differentiated strategies, and optimizing resource allocation, helping address regional imbalance and offering references for global agricultural development.
{"title":"Spatiotemporal differentiation and evolution of associated networks of China's agricultural innovation ecosystem","authors":"Fei Liu , Di Zheng , Dongyang Zhao , Bo Wen","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104537","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104537","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Exploring the spatiotemporal patterns and evolution of spatial association networks of agricultural innovation ecosystems is crucial for coordinated regional agricultural development. Currently, its development exhibits regional imbalance, and the overall level needs further improvement.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Based on China's provincial data from 2012 to 2023, an evaluation index system is constructed to explore the spatiotemporal pattern evolution, centroid migration, dispersion trends, and characteristics of spatial association networks of agricultural innovation ecosystems.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Methods including game theory-based combined weighting, kernel density estimation, standard deviation ellipse, modified gravity model, and social network analysis are adopted.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Temporally, indices at national and four regional levels show fluctuating upward trends; inter-provincial growth gaps expand, with the eastern region at the highest level, while the western and northeastern regions have similar levels with balanced intra-regional development.</div><div>Spatially, overall levels improve with narrowing regional differences, showing a gradient decrease from southeast to northwest; the centroid shifts from northwest to southeast, tending toward spatial convergence.</div><div>Association networks present complex multi-line structures with good connectivity, with increasing network density but declining hierarchy and efficiency.</div><div>In spatial clustering, eastern and southern regions are mostly net beneficiary areas, western regions are mainly net spillover areas, the central region plays an intermediary role, and inter-block effects have significantly improved.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Theoretically, it enriches quantitative research paradigms, fills gaps in spatiotemporal evolution and association network mechanisms, and deepens theoretical cognition from a complex system perspective.</div><div>Practically, it provides a basis for improving overall levels, formulating differentiated strategies, and optimizing resource allocation, helping address regional imbalance and offering references for global agricultural development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104537"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325239","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 : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104532
Ting Deng , Zeeda F. Mohamad
CONTEXT
Global agriculture is facing mounting pressures from climate change, resource degradation, and socio-economic inequalities. These challenges emphasize the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices that foster long-term resilience. Agricultural Sustainability Assessment (ASA) tools, which integrate environmental, economic, and social dimensions, are essential in guiding policy development and assessing the sustainability of agricultural practices. However, the ASA tools show various limitations in terms of local adaptability.
OBJECTIVE
This study systematically reviews ASA frameworks, with a particular focus on how well these tools incorporate local adaptation criteria. The aim is to evaluate existing frameworks' strengths, limitations, and their ability to adapt to diverse agricultural contexts.
METHODS
This review applies the PRISMA 2020 methodology for systematic reviews and integrated with PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to propose three research questions. A total of 33 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed, focusing on ASA tools across different agricultural systems. The study identifies key criteria for local adaptation, assessing the performance of various tools against these standards.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The review found significant variability across ASA tools in terms of their local adaptation capabilities. Indicator-Based Frameworks (IBFs) tend to perform well in providing standardized comparisons but fall short in addressing dynamic, local needs. In contrast, Decision Support Tools (DSTs) excel in integrating real-time data and scenario modeling, but often lack effective stakeholder participation and feedback mechanisms. Tools like MOTIFS, SAFA, and FSA showed strength in multi-stakeholder collaboration and user-driven flexibility, while SENSE Tool and APEX demonstrated robustness in real-time data integration and scenario simulation. The findings underscore the need for hybrid models that combine the strengths of both structured and non-structured optimizations to create ASA tools that are both scientifically rigorous and adaptable to local conditions. Enhancing stakeholder collaboration and feedback mechanisms will further improve the local relevance and practical usability of ASA tools.
SIGNIFICANCE
This study provides pathways for improving local adaptation in ASA tools, ensuring that they can better address the heterogeneity of agricultural systems across different regions. By incorporating dynamic, local data, and fostering participatory design, future ASA tools can offer more accurate and context-sensitive sustainability assessments.
{"title":"Context-sensitive agricultural sustainability assessment: A systematic review of frameworks and local adaptation criteria","authors":"Ting Deng , Zeeda F. Mohamad","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104532","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104532","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Global agriculture is facing mounting pressures from climate change, resource degradation, and socio-economic inequalities. These challenges emphasize the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices that foster long-term resilience. Agricultural Sustainability Assessment (ASA) tools, which integrate environmental, economic, and social dimensions, are essential in guiding policy development and assessing the sustainability of agricultural practices. However, the ASA tools show various limitations in terms of local adaptability.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study systematically reviews ASA frameworks, with a particular focus on how well these tools incorporate local adaptation criteria. The aim is to evaluate existing frameworks' strengths, limitations, and their ability to adapt to diverse agricultural contexts.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>This review applies the PRISMA 2020 methodology for systematic reviews and integrated with PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to propose three research questions. A total of 33 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed, focusing on ASA tools across different agricultural systems. The study identifies key criteria for local adaptation, assessing the performance of various tools against these standards.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The review found significant variability across ASA tools in terms of their local adaptation capabilities. Indicator-Based Frameworks (IBFs) tend to perform well in providing standardized comparisons but fall short in addressing dynamic, local needs. In contrast, Decision Support Tools (DSTs) excel in integrating real-time data and scenario modeling, but often lack effective stakeholder participation and feedback mechanisms. Tools like MOTIFS, SAFA, and FSA showed strength in multi-stakeholder collaboration and user-driven flexibility, while SENSE Tool and APEX demonstrated robustness in real-time data integration and scenario simulation. The findings underscore the need for hybrid models that combine the strengths of both structured and non-structured optimizations to create ASA tools that are both scientifically rigorous and adaptable to local conditions. Enhancing stakeholder collaboration and feedback mechanisms will further improve the local relevance and practical usability of ASA tools.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study provides pathways for improving local adaptation in ASA tools, ensuring that they can better address the heterogeneity of agricultural systems across different regions. By incorporating dynamic, local data, and fostering participatory design, future ASA tools can offer more accurate and context-sensitive sustainability assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"231 ","pages":"Article 104532"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325249","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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