From soil to society: A transdisciplinary assessment of farmers' adoption of agroecology through the social-ecological systems framework in Algeria

    Agricultural activities play a critical role in the biogeochemical cycles of the Earth’s Critical Zone (CZ), encompassing the exchanges of carbon, water, nitrogen, and other essential elements between the atmosphere, soil, and ecosystems. Within this CZ system, field management practices directly influence microclimatic conditions and further alter water budgets and the emission or sequestration of greenhouse gases. These changes significantly affect the physical and chemical processes, and ecological balance within the agricultural CZ. Moreover, farmers’ field management behaviors are often shaped by their social networks, where past field experiences, technical knowledge, market dynamics, and policy frameworks influence their decision-making and filed applications. These behaviors, in turn, impact microclimatic conditions and biogeochemical cycles at different scales. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production and environmental systems.    In Asia, tea cultivation is a high-value agricultural activity that represents a complex social-ecological system (SES) involving farmers' social networks, biogeochemical cycles, and field microclimatic characteristics. To examine the mechanism in this complex system, we conducted the measurement with eddy-covariance flux system in two adjacent tea fields managed under two different practices (organic-certified and conventional) in a mountainous watershed in northeastern Taiwan. The preliminary findings from the past few years show that these two plantations exhibit distinct microclimatic characteristics, influenced by the differing management approaches. The results from the flux measurements have significant scientific implications. First, the contrasting microclimatic patterns demonstrate the substantial impact of local stakeholders and their associated social networks on field management behaviors and regional biogeochemical processes. Second, the results provide valuable data for stakeholders, including farmers, local government, and water resource administration, guiding them toward strategies that align with agricultural and environmental sustainability objectives. These findings offer actionable insights to optimize resource use, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance resilience in agricultural systems.    This study demonstrates the value of integrating research on agricultural activities, field management behaviors, and social networks to comprehensively understand the interplay between human behavior and natural processes within the agricultural CZ, offering a robust scientific basis for promoting sustainable development.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is currently grown in 100 countries and fulfills one‐third of the global demand for natural fiber. Irrespective of production regions, cotton production across the world is constrained by the high incidence of pests and diseases, weed pressure and evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds, salinity and soil degradation, and climate aberrations such as drought, floods, and heat waves. Crop production potentials and constraints can vary with countries. Introduction of genetically modified (GM) cotton and its adoption by major producing countries have changed the global trends in cotton production. Although adoption of GM cotton has ensured a reduction in the usage of insecticides and improved in broad‐spectrum weed control due to the flexibility in herbicide‐based weed management, sustainability of GM cotton could be challenged by the evolution of resistance in insects and weed biotypes. Enhanced adoption of commercially available GM cotton may narrow down the existing genetic diversity of cotton varieties. To ensure sustainability, there should be crop improvement programs by diversifying the genetic base of cotton varieties to handle any biotic and abiotic stresses and a future change in climate. Current management practices of cotton include frequent tillage, which limit a complete adoption of conservation agriculture systems and overhead systems of irrigation. The use of cover crops and narrow row spacing may minimize tillage with the additional benefits of reduced weed pressure, improved soil health and a reduction in soil compaction and degradation. Modeling studies could help to forecast and minimize different production constraints; however, modeling approaches should bring a holistic picture considering different aspects of crop production rather than isolated scenarios. More avenues also exist for the efficient utilization of by‐products. In a nutshell, science and technology should work hand in hand to minimize the uncertainties and explore more avenues for a profitable, environment‐friendly and sustainable cotton production system.

Modern high-input, chemically intensive agricultural systems have led to serious ecological, environmental, and human-health concerns, including soil degradation, groundwater depletion, pest resistance, biodiversity loss, and contamination of food and water resources. These challenges necessitate the adoption of low-input, eco-friendly, and holistic farming approaches. Agro-homeopathy, an emerging application of homeopathic principles in agriculture, offers a sustainable alternative by enhancing plant vitality, resilience, and self-regulatory capacity through ultra-diluted remedies. Rooted in the principles of ‘Similia Similibus Curentur’ (like cures like), minimum dose, and holistic ecosystem management, Agro-homeopathy aims to strengthen crops rather than directly suppress pests or pathogens. The approach has been explored across various stages of crop production — from seed germination and stress management to disease control, soil health improvement, and post-harvest quality enhancement. Case studies from India and abroad, including initiatives such as Ameya Krishi Vignana Kendram (Telangana), the AHAR project (Puducherry), AHOBHAG (Uttarakhand), pilot projects across multiple Indian states, and experimental trials in Brazil and Europe, indicate potential benefits such as improved soil biology, reduced chemical dependency, enhanced crop resilience, and cost- effective production. Despite promising field-level observations, Agro-homeopathy faces challenges related to scientific validation, standardization, and large-scale adoption. When integrated with organic and regenerative farming practices, Agro-homeopathy holds significant potential as a complementary tool for advancing sustainable and climate- resilient agricultural systems.

Agricultural biochemistry is crucial for enhancing crop production in enhancing crop production and sustainability, focusing on understanding biochemical processes that underpin plant growth, nutrient utilization, and resilience to environmental stresses. This review explores the critical role of biochemistry in sustainable agriculture, particularly in the context of soil health, nutrient cycling, pest management, and crop genetic improvements. With the increasing challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation, there is an urgent need for sustainable farming practices that enhance crop productivity without compromising environmental integrity. This article examines the biochemical mechanisms behind nutrient uptake, the role of enzymes in plant metabolism, and the interplay between soil microbiota and plant health. Furthermore, the integration of biotechnology into agricultural practices offers promising solutions, including the development of genetically modified crops that are more efficient in nutrient use and resistant to pests and diseases. The review also highlights the importance of biochemical strategies in reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture, such as optimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Emphasis is placed on the biochemical pathways involved in nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, and plant stress responses, which are essential for developing sustainable crop production systems. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in agricultural biochemistry, this paper aims to provide valuable insights into how biochemistry can contribute to more sustainable, efficient, and resilient agricultural systems. The research indicates that by optimizing biochemical processes and leveraging technological innovations, it is possible to achieve a balance between high agricultural yields and environmental conservation, thereby promoting long-term food security.

Biostimulants represent more than an agricultural product; they constitute a paradigm shift towards more sustainable food production systems. This editorial examines how biostimulants promote a transition from conventional agriculture, dependent on synthetic inputs, to environmentally conscious and regenerative agricultural practices. Historically, conventional agriculture has relied on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and monocultures to maximize production, resulting in significant environmental costs such as soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Biostimulants offer an alternative by improving soil health through the support of microbiomes, increasing plant tolerance to abiotic stress, and reducing dependence on chemical inputs. According to the European Union, biostimulants are products that stimulate plant nutritional processes, improving nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, quality traits, or the availability of poorly soluble nutrients. The global biostimulant market is expected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2023 to over $9.0 billion in 2030. The BioClub project demonstrated that biofertilizers composed of microbial consortia can compensate for a 33% reduction in the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, maintaining productivity and enriching grains with zinc and iron. The effective implementation of biostimulants requires multi-actor approaches, such as living labs, integrating researchers, producers, technicians, and policymakers to optimize their application in different agroecosystems.

A transdisciplinary framework proposal for surf break conservation and management: Bahía de Todos Santos World Surfing Reserve

This review aims to contribute to a holistic understanding of sustainable crop production strategies in the face of climate variability, offering insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working at the intersection of agriculture and climate resilience. Climate change poses a significant threat to global agricultural productivity, directly impacting food security, farmer livelihoods, and the sustainability of cropping systems. Increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, extended droughts, and frequent extreme weather events are disrupting conventional agricultural practices, particularly in vulnerable regions. In this context, climate-resilient agronomic practices have emerged as crucial adaptive strategies to sustain and enhance crop production under changing environmental conditions. This review highlights recent advances and innovative approaches in climate-resilient agronomy, emphasizing sustainable practices that optimize resource use efficiency, conserve soil and water, and improve crop tolerance to climatic stresses. The use of crop varieties that are resistant to heat and drought, conservation agriculture methods, integrated nutrient and water management, precision farming, crop diversification, and agroforestry systems are some of the important practices that are covered. Agronomic practices treated in this review, such as the application of stress-tolerant crop varieties, conservation agriculture practices, integrated nutrient and water management, precision farming, and agroforestry, have been proven effective in various agro-ecological environments. Furthermore, the study also discussed how organic amendments, biofertilizers, and climate-wise smart soil management strategies might improve soil health and carbon sequestration. To further on-farm risk management and decision-making, the paper also examines the integration of digital agriculture tools including remote sensing, weather forecasting, and decision support systems. This review emphasizes the need for a systems-based agronomic approach that fits production goals with environmental sustainability by combining recent research findings and successful field-level interventions. The results support increasing policy support, farmer capacity-building, and technology distribution to encourage broad application of climate-resilient agronomic practices. Food and nutritional security, improved farm incomes, and resilience in agricultural systems against the negative effects of climate change depend on such efforts.

SUMMARYDisturbances to key aspects of ecological systems, including biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution and natural resource degradation, have become a major concern to many policy analysts. Instead of learning from the study of biological complexity however, social scientists tend to recommend simple panaceas, particularly government or private ownership, as ‘the’ way to solve these problems. This paper reviews and assesses potential solutions for such overly simplified institutional prescriptions, referred to here as the ‘panacea problem’. In contrast to these simple prescriptions, recent research efforts are now illustrating the diversity of institutions around the world related to environmental conservation. The complexity of working institutions, however, presents a challenge to scholars who equate scientific knowledge with relatively simple models that predict optimal performance if specific institutional arrangements are in place. Dealing with this complexity has led to the development of frameworks as meta-theoretical tools. The institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework has been used over the last three decades as a foundation for a focused analysis of how institutions affect human incentives, actions and outcomes. Building on this foundation, the social-ecological systems (SES) framework has recently enabled researchers to begin the development of a common language that crosses social and ecological disciplines to analyse how interactions among a variety of factors affect outcomes. Such a framework may be able to facilitate a diagnostic approach that will help future analysts overcome the panacea problem. Using a common framework to diagnose the source, and possible amelioration, of poor outcomes for ecological and human systems enables a much finer understanding of these complex systems than has so far been obtained, and provides a basis for comparisons among many systems and ultimately more responsible policy prescriptions.

Climate change, soil degradation, and depletion of natural resources challenge agricultural productivity and economic sustainability. Developing resilient agricultural systems is crucial for food security amid these changes. Relay cropping, where one plant species is inter-seeded into an established crop, maintains continuous plant cover, optimizes resource use, and enhances climate resilience. Therefore, the objective of research was to assess the economic benefits of relay cropping systems in enhancing crop yield and improving soil health. It aims to identify how these practices contribute to climate resilience and maximize farm profitability, offering strategic insights for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. Brassica (Raya/Mustard) was sown in standing cotton as a relay crop on first week of October- using 3 kg seed/acre, and also a sole crop to compare the results. Economic analysis over three seasons shows that relay cropping consistently achieved higher net profits compared to sole cropping. Results showed that in 2022-23, cotton relay cropping yielded higher with a net profit of Rs. 66,950, compared to sole cotton and a net profit of Rs. 39,200. Relay cropping also improved soil health, with higher soil organic matter levels observed; for example, in 2022-23, cotton relay cropping had 0.78% soil organic matter compared to 0.63% in sole cotton. Although sole cropping offered higher yields for Brassica, relay cropping resulted in better soil nutrient levels. Overall, the relay cropping system yielded a combined net profit of Rs. 130,630 in 2022-23. These findings highlight relay cropping’s potential to enhance farm profitability and sustainability by addressing resource use inefficiencies, reducing input costs, and stabilizing yields, making it a strategic choice for climate resilience and economic stability.

Potential of conservation agriculture (CA) for climate change adaptation and food security under rainfed uplands of India: A transdisciplinary approach

Sustainable food production is one of the major challenges in this era of global environmental problems such as population pressure, natural resource degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change. Agriculture being one of the prime sectors that sustain livelihood of the farmers also contributes to climate change. In this context, traditional agriculture has proven its effectiveness, adaptability and resilience for sustainable food production in the changing climatic conditions. The bun agricultural practice of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya in Northeast India based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) offers an interesting example of sustainable agriculture and food production. An overview of the traditional bun cultivation practices and its modifications adopted by the local people has been discussed in the present study. The data for this study were obtained through focus group discussions with the cultivators and interviewing key informants followed by field survey. The study revealed that farmers grow the crops under a completely rain fed condition and make use of limited biomass and land resources, organic fertilizers and pesticides, thereby making the system sustainable. In addition, the farmers also abandon the land for a period of one to three years to restore soil fertility. However, due to increase in population, growing food demand, limited land availability and the socio-economic condition of the farmers, the traditional bun cultivation has undergone a number of modifications. The modifications include changes in cropping pattern, choice of crop, pest management and fallow period management that adapt well to local climatic conditions with higher food production and economic benefits. Understanding the various modifications and their integration with traditional agricultural practices can potentially form the basis for a sustainable, economically viable, environmentally sound and resilient agricultural system.

The mung bean crop (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is widely recognized as a key source of pulse food worldwide. However, this crop suffers substantial yield losses due to humid environments, particularly from infestations by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, which causes charcoal rot disease. This infestation results in significant agronomic losses, affecting both the crop’s growth characteristics and overall yield. Previous research suggests that these losses can be mitigated through environmentally friendly soil amendments, such as biochar, as well as by applying various nanofungicides. This study aims to explore the potential of biochar and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) to reduce the severity of charcoal rot disease and enhance the agronomic traits and yield of mung bean plants affected by this disease. The experiment was conducted in triplicate, applying ZnONPs at three concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mg. L− 1) via foliar spraying, combined with two levels of biochar (20 g and 40 g per pot). Positive and negative control treatments were also included for comparison. The results demonstrated that applying 40 g of biochar per pot and 20 mg. L− 1 of foliar-applied ZnONPs increased the activities of the anti-oxidative defence enzymes. Additionally, this treatment strategy boosted the plants’ disease resistance mechanisms, leading to lower mortality rates and reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by 61.7% and 49.23%. Moreover, the treatment positively impacted key growth parameters, increasing total chlorophyll content by 43%, plant height by 47%, and legume count per plant by 80.4%. The application of biochar and ZnONPs also improved seed protein content, reflecting an enhancement in nutritional quality. This study supports the use of biochar and ZnONPs as biostimulants to manage yield losses in mung bean crops affected by charcoal rot disease. The future prospects of using ZnONPs and biochar as treatments in agriculture are promising, as they offer innovative, eco-friendly solutions to enhance crop productivity, improve soil health, and reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, paving the way for more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) are reshaping modern crop production by promoting efficient and sustainable farming practices. Core components of precision agriculture include remote sensing, GPS-enabled machinery, variable rate technology (VRT), and Internet of Things (IoT)-based systems. Remote sensing tools and unmanned aerial vehicles provide high-resolution data that support accurate assessment of crop health, soil variability, and pest incidence. GPS-guided equipment improves the precision of field operations such as sowing, fertilizer application, and harvesting, leading to reduced input losses and higher operational efficiency. VRT allows site-specific application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides according to crop demand and real-time field conditions, thereby minimizing excessive input use, nutrient runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions. The adoption of precision agriculture significantly enhances environmental sustainability by conserving water, lowering chemical inputs, and improving soil health. By reducing the ecological footprint of farming while increasing yields and profitability, PATs offer a viable solution for meeting the growing global food demand and ensuring long-term agricultural and environmental sustainability. Precision agriculture integrates advanced technologies to enhance farm productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Precision farming, defined by the strategic application of data analytics and advanced technologies, has emerged as a transformative approach for achieving sustainable agriculture. precision agriculture provides an effective pathway for building sustainable and resilient agricultural systems by improving resource-use efficiency, while simultaneously supporting food security and environmental sustainability.

The widespread standardization of agri-food systems through monoculture practices has resulted in biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem resilience. Incorporating underutilized crops such as buckwheat into crop rotations offers a viable strategy to enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and foster more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. This study examines the potential adoption of buckwheat in Italy and analyzes its economic viability across different crop rotations. It evaluates how factors such as financial incentives, peer influence, and farmers’ willingness to adopt affect the diffusion of this underutilized crop. To this end, a spatial agent-based model (ABM) is employed to simulate farmers’ decision-making processes based on profit maximization and peer influence. The model evaluates two diffusion scenarios (traditional and expansion) alongside two levels of willingness to adopt (high and low), comparing the profitability of traditional crop rotations with rotations that include buckwheat across nine Italian regions. The results revealed that while increased contract prices can incentivize buckwheat adoption, financial incentives alone are insufficient to generate widespread adoption, particularly when the willingness to adopt is low. Peer influence and intrinsic motivation emerged as key drivers, highlighting the need for strategies beyond monetary incentives. These findings suggest that policies should combine financial support with initiatives that foster knowledge-sharing, educational outreach, and improved supply chain integration. The study provides a framework for evaluating the adoption of other underutilized crops and emphasizes the need for further research on risk aversion, environmental variability, and broader supply chain interactions to refine adoption strategies.

Microbial biotechnology is revolutionizing crop protection and improvement by harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Innovations in this field involve the use of bacteria, fungi, and viruses to combat plant pathogens, improve soil health, and promote plant growth. Techniques such as biofertilizers, biopesticides, and microbial inoculants are being developed to reduce dependency on chemical inputs, thereby mitigating environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly farming practices. Additionally, advancements in genetic engineering and microbial genomics are enabling the creation of tailor-made microbial solutions that can boost crop resilience to stresses like drought and salinity. These cutting-edge approaches not only enhance crop yield and quality but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system, addressing the growing global food security challenges.