Agricultural Consumption Research Articles

Nutrient production, water consumption, and stresses of large-scale versus small-scale agriculture: A global comparative analysis based on a gridded crop model

Nutrient production, water consumption, and stresses of large-scale versus small-scale agriculture: A global comparative analysis based on a gridded crop model

Fertilizer use, deforestation, and energy consumption: key drivers of nitrous oxide emissions in Indonesia

Climate change poses a global challenge, with agriculture being a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly nitrous oxide (N2O). This study examines the impact of agricultural practices, deforestation, and energy consumption on N2O emissions in Indonesia from 1990 to 2020, focusing on fertilizer use, manure management, and deforestation. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, both short- and long-term relationships between these factors and N2O emissions are analyzed. Results indicate that fertilizer use (β = 0.3699, p < 0.01) and manure management (β = 0.2816, p < 0.01) significantly contribute to N₂O emissions, with deforestation, particularly for palm oil plantations, further exacerbating emissions. Additionally, fossil fuel consumption in agriculture amplifies the problem. The study underscores the need for integrated mitigation strategies, including precision agriculture, improved manure management, deforestation regulation, and renewable energy transition. However, limitations include imputed data from FAO records and potential inconsistencies in WDI data, warranting future refinement. Moreover, the national-level data does not capture regional variations in agricultural practices, soil types, and climate conditions, suggesting that future studies should focus on regional disparities to better tailor emission reduction strategies to local contexts. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to mitigate agricultural emissions while ensuring sustainability and meeting Indonesia's climate goals. Addressing regional differences and integrating local-level data into policy development will be crucial to effectively combatting N2O emissions across Indonesia.

Low Serological Agreement of Hepatitis E in Immunocompromised Cancer Patients: A Comparative Study of Three Anti-HEV Assays.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute hepatitis, with immunosuppressed individuals, such as oncology patients, being particularly vulnerable to chronic infections that may progress to liver disease or fatal outcomes. Assay variability complicates HEV prevalence assessment in at-risk groups. This study aimed to compare the reliability and concordance of three HEV antibody assays-Wantai, Euroimmun, and Elecsys®-in immunosuppressed oncology patients. In this prospective pilot study, serum samples were obtained from oncology patients between September 2020 and October 2021. Samples were collected both at baseline (treatment-naive) and during ongoing treatment. A healthy control group was retrospectively included for comparative analysis. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies were tested in all samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (Wantai, Euroimmun) and an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Elecsys®). Demographic and clinical data, along with information on HEV risk factors, were extracted from medical records and patient questionnaires. HEV IgM prevalence ranged from 0% (Wantai) to 6% (Elecsys®), while IgG prevalence was 12% (Euroimmun), 38% (Wantai), and 53% (Elecsys®). Concordance was poor, with Cohen's Kappa values indicating slight to moderate agreement (κ = 0.000-0.553). Patients with hematological malignancies exhibited the highest IgG seroprevalence. Risk factor analysis revealed the highest association between HEV exposure and the consumption of undercooked pork or crop-based agriculture. Significant variability among HEV serological assays highlights the challenges of reliable HEV diagnostics in immunosuppressed oncology patients. Assay selection and improved testing strategies are critical for this high-risk group.

Correction to “A Montero auction mechanism to regulate antimicrobial consumption in agriculture”

Correction to “A Montero auction mechanism to regulate antimicrobial consumption in agriculture”

Amide modified cellulose-g-poly acrylic acid as a supple superabsorbent for water retention and soil conditioner.

Amide modified cellulose-g-poly acrylic acid as a supple superabsorbent for water retention and soil conditioner.

Evaluating the Impact of EU Expenditures Under Agricultural Priorities on Energy Sustainability in CEE Countries

This study examines the impact of EU agricultural expenditures on renewable energy production and energy efficiency in the agricultural sector across nine Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries over the period 2015–2022. The analysis is based on a panel dataset compiled from European Commission databases, incorporating annual expenditures under five Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) priorities, as well as indicators of renewable energy production and direct energy consumption in agriculture and forestry. Using panel regression models, the study assesses how different CAP funding priorities influence energy sustainability outcomes. The findings indicate that certain funding priorities significantly contribute to renewable energy adoption, while others have a limited effect, emphasizing the need for a more targeted policy approach. The results also highlight regional disparities in the effectiveness of CAP funding, suggesting that farm structure, institutional capacity, and climate conditions mediate the impact of EU expenditures on energy sustainability. These insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on optimizing EU funding mechanisms to support a sustainable agricultural transition in the CEE region.

Energy Saving Technologies and Practices in Facility Agriculture in Cold Regions

With the growth of the global population, energy demand continues to rise, making cross-regional energy transportation less viable as a sustainable solution. As a result, the construction of facilities for agriculture in cold regions has become increasingly important in the development of modern agriculture. However, cold region facility agriculture faces significant energy and environmental challenges, necessitating the advancement and application of energy saving technologies. This study addresses the high energy consumption in cold region facility agriculture by experimentally evaluating the integrated effects of geothermal heat pumps, solar collectors, intelligent light control systems, LED plant lamps, and smart ventilation systems in saving energy. The focus is on analyzing the technical adaptability and economic feasibility of these technologies under extremely cold conditions in Heilongjiang. The research findings indicate an overall energy saving rate of 17.8%, with energy savings in heating, lighting, and ventilation systems being 17.6%, 18.6%, and 17.4%, respectively. Economic analysis shows that geothermal heat pumps and high efficiency insulation materials have a short investment payback period and are suitable for widespread adoption, while solar collectors and intelligent light control systems are more appropriate for long-term application. This study demonstrates that intelligent and integrated energy saving technologies have significant potential in cold region facility agriculture, providing both data support and technical references for the efficient, low-carbon development of agriculture in cold climates. This study not only provides scientific evidence for the sustainable development of cold region facility agriculture but also highlights the practical implications of these technologies for reducing energy consumption and promoting low-carbon agriculture.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Using Luffa Cylindrica to Reduce Water Consumption in Agriculture

Background: To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, a stable and accessible water supply in agriculture is essential. The projected steady increase in population will contribute to a moderate increase in consumption, which in turn will require the development of technologies that increase soil productivity. With the increasing impact of global warming, droughts are becoming increasingly common in the northern region of Bangladesh. Notably, Bangladeshi farmers currently allocate about 37% of the total cost of rice production to irrigation. Objectives: The current study aims to overcome the problem of water shortage in agriculture, particularly in rice cultivation. It is expected that the use of biological sponge extracted from dried Luffa cylindrica will help retain water for its uptake by rice roots. That is, it is expected that by using Luffa cylindrica it will be possible to prevent or significantly reduce evapotranspiration and water seepage into the soil. Methods: This work is an experimental study on rice cultivation in soil with and without Luffa cylindrica. The study controlled the main factors contributing to water loss: evaporation and percolation, for the quantitative measurement of which different systems and methods were used. In addition, other extensive measurements related to irrigation were carried out and contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the studied approach to reducing water use. Results: A comparison of fields with and without Luffa cylindrica shows a marked contrast in water storage capacity. Initial observations indicate that integrating Luffa cylindrica into rice paddies improves water retention, thereby reducing losses due to evaporation and seepage. It was found that the irrigation frequency was above the optimum threshold to achieve the desired result. In addition, more water was required to fill the Luffa-containing field than the Luffa-containing field, as the dry Luffa cylindrica also had to be saturated. Despite these issues, the use of Luffa cylindrica resulted in water savings of 26.97%. Conclusion: improving soil moisture retention in rice paddies. By utilizing the fibrous structure of dry Luffa cylindrica, water losses due to evapotranspiration and seepage were significantly reduced, resulting in substantial water savings and reduced costs for farmers. The eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of Luffa cylindrica highlights its potential as a sustainable water management solution for agricultural practices. Its availability and ease of cultivation make it a viable option for farmers, with minimal investment required to implement the technique on a large scale.

Spatiotemporal assessment of the cumulative exergy demand of agricultural greenhouse production with industrial symbiosis

Spatiotemporal assessment of the cumulative exergy demand of agricultural greenhouse production with industrial symbiosis

The role of Teff crop in Ethiopian life: consumption and contribution to rural livelihoods

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is believed to be the smallest grain in the world. It is the most important crop in Ethiopia in terms of production and consumption. Smallholder farmers produce Teff, and it is the main source of income for farmers in comparison to other cereal crops. Teff is the daily staple food for over 50 million Ethiopians. There is a need for information on agricultural consumption, disaggregated at district level, to support evidence-based decision-making at local level. The objective of this paper is to understand the consumption of Teff among rural smallholder producers at district level and assess the position of Teff among cereals in the lives of Ethiopian rural farmers. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to select the top Teff producing regions, districts, and kebeles (small administrative units) and collected primary data through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants, and questionnaire respondents. The survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from 357 households. FGD, key informant interview (KII) participants and survey respondents were drawn from the same areas where the survey was conducted. The quantitative and qualitative data were subjected to statistical and content analysis respectively. The study findings revealed that on average households consume 26.92% of their Teff production per year. Moreover, there is a shift in the consumption of Teff which might be due to improved standards of living among the farmers, a health-conscious community, and improved income from Teff sales. Although Teff is a staple grain in Ethiopia, there is a statistically significant variation in Teff consumption among districts.

The impact of agriculture in Visegrad countries on CO2 emissions using the FMOLS and DOLS methods in an empirical panel data study

The primary aspiration of this paper is to learn about the effects of agricultural energy consumption, agriculture value added, agricultural land and fertiliser consumption on environmental pollution in Visegrad countries. The research employs panel data from long-run models FMOLS and DOLS, covering the period from 1995 to 2020. The study suggests that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between CO2 emissions from agriculture in Central and Eastern European countries, and factors such as higher energy consumption, increased value from agricultural production, greater fertiliser consumption, and larger arable land areas. The FMOLS and DOLS models’ long-term coefficients suggest that energy consumption in agriculture and crop area are the main factors contributing to the increase in CO2 emissions from agriculture in the studied countries. The study recommends a sustainable energy transformation of agriculture by limiting the use of fossil fuels in agricultural production and reducing share of arable land.

Research on optimal scheduling strategy of source-grid-load-storage in rural low-voltage distribution network

The increasing demand for centralised power consumption in rural agriculture may result in low voltage and three-phase imbalance issues at the end of the distribution network. Furthermore, the extensive implementation of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems may cause an imbalance between agricultural power load and PV output, exacerbating the issue of PV losses. In this paper, an optimal scheduling strategy for an integrated source-networkload- storage system is proposed to solve the above problems. The proposed strategy involves a dispatch model that includes PV power generation and energy storage, with the objective of maximising PV consumption and minimising operating costs. The PPO algorithm is finally employed to solve the cooperative optimisation model for source-grid-load-storage. The proposed scheduling strategy has been validated through examples, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness in ensuring the economic and safe operation of rural distribution networks.

Developing a water budget for the Amman-Zarqa basin using water accounting plus and the pixel-based soil water balance model

Water resources assessments are essential for effective planning in water-scarce regions such as Jordan. Such assessments require sufficient data in space and time. The WaPOR-based Water Accounting Plus (WA +) framework is relevant as it integrates remote sensing data and the Pixel-Based Soil Water Balance model to simulate a basin’s water balance. However, since it relies on remote sensing, this framework only tracks water consumption in irrigated agriculture and does not consider non-irrigation water use and its return flow. This paper modifies the WaPOR-based WA + framework to include non-irrigation manmade consumption and its return flows. The modified framework provides a more comprehensive water budget for the Amman-Zarqa (AZ) basin, presented in a modified WA + resource base sheet for 2018 through 2021. The results show that water availability in the AZ basin is highly responsive to precipitation changes. Average precipitation was approximately 926 Mm3/year between 2018 and 2020, corresponding to an average available water of 485 Mm3/year. However, a reduction in average precipitation by 28% in 2021 corresponded to a reduction in available water to 243 Mm3/year. Nevertheless, substantial groundwater outflows to neighbouring basins may indicate that available water is being overestimated. Manmade consumption increased by 18% from 2018 to 2021, and the total demand exceeded the available supply by 150%. This underscores the pressing need to investigate supply augmentation and conservation methods. Future studies could focus on improving the representation of groundwater dynamics in the modified framework by improving groundwater dynamics in PixSWAB and testing the modified framework with other remote sensing datasets.

The Impact of Agriculture on the Consumption of Natural Resources (An analytical study)

This research delves into the multifaceted relationship between agriculture and the consumption of natural resources, highlighting the significant impact of agricultural practices on natural resource depletion. Various studies have explored this dynamic, revealing how technological advancements, government policies, and market access in developed countries have contributed to the increased consumption of natural resources in agriculture. The expansion of palm oil plantations in Indonesia, for instance, has raised concerns about land scarcity and environmental degradation due to soil compaction and water retention issues. Conversely, research in the U.S. suggests that the availability of natural resources, except in cases of major energy supply interruptions, does not significantly constrain agricultural output. The study also examines the role of energy consumption in agriculture, with findings indicating that an increase in gas consumption boosts GDP, whereas higher electricity consumption may hinder growth. Additionally, the research addresses the effects of natural disasters on agriculture, food security, and natural resources, with typhoons notably impacting rice production and household food security in the Philippines. Through a critical and analytical lens, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how agricultural practices influence the depletion of natural resources and explore potential strategies for mitigating these effects. Given the study's outcomes, several policy recommendations emerge as follow: Governments should create incentives for the adoption of renewable energy technologies in agriculture to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, There is a need for comprehensive water management policies that ensure more sustainable water use in agriculture.

Examining the efficacy of biological filters in the removal of agricultural pesticides and nutrient elements from agricultural drainage water

The high water consumption in agriculture has led to an obvious water crisis in this sector, and the use of unconventional water sources, especially agricultural drains, is considered necessary. For this purpose, the present study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of biological filters with different types of substrates for treating agricultural wastewater in Khuzestan province, located in the south of Iran, to use receptive resources and reuse them in agriculture. Next, the efficiency of four types of biological filters for treating agricultural drainage water with different retention times was evaluated. Sawdust, cotton stalks, wheat straw, stubble, and rice husk were used as filters. Qualitative factors included agricultural pesticides (Atrazine, Randup, Paraquat, and 2, 4-D) and nutrients (nitrate, nitrogen, phosphate, and phosphorus). By examining the trend of increasing the retention time and the corresponding removal percentage, it was observed that the retention time has a direct relationship with the amount of removal efficiency of nutrients and agricultural toxins. As the residence time increases, the average amount of nutrient compounds in different filters decreases, and their removal percentage increases. The highest removal percentage of nitrate, total nitrogen, phosphate, and total phosphorus was 74.03, 71.66, 57.97, and 61.85% in the sawdust filter and was assigned to 10 days. The highest percentage of removal of Atrazine, Tofudi, Paraquat, and Roundup toxins with a removal efficiency of 91.73, 84.27, 89.81, and 88.46% was also observed in the treatment of sawdust for 10 days. The sawdust filter showed a good performance in removing the parameters of agricultural toxins and nutrient compounds in a retention time of 10 days compared to other filters and retention times. As a general result, the sawdust filter can be cited as a reliable substrate with acceptable efficiency compared to other filters.

Mathematical Modeling for Predicting Growth and Yield of Halophyte Hedysarum scoparium in Arid Regions under Variable Irrigation and Soil Amendment Conditions

Growing degree days (GDDs) and leaf area index (LAI) greatly influence the growth and yield of many crops grown in arid regions. Therefore, variation in LAI due to GDD can provide a theoretical basis for predicting crop growth, water consumption, plant development, and yield in arid agriculture via the development of mathematical growth models. This study described the relationship between plant biomass production and variation in LAI due to GDD in arid regions under different types of irrigation (fresh water and saline water) and soils amended with different substances (manure+sandy soil, compost+sandy soil, clay+sandy soil, and sandy soil). Mathematical models for LAI were established for GDDs. In addition, different water quality irrigation techniques were used as independent variables to calculate the LAI of halophytic plants (Hedysarum scoparium) in arid regions under different soil amendment treatments. Furthermore, mathematical models for plant biomass production were developed by using the LAI and GDDs. For this purpose, Logistic, Gaussian, modified Gaussian, and Cubic polynomial models were used. Modified Gaussian and Cubic polynomial models are the best among all developed models, but Cubic polynomial models are more suitable among all developed models because of their simple quadratic equations that can be solved by using the first derivative. It was observed that with increased salt concentration in the irrigation water, the growth of per plant production decreased. However, soil amendments like manure and compost enhance salt tolerance against salt stress and enable plants to sustain their growth. Furthermore, Hedysarum scoparium attains maximum LAI when its GDD is about 1117.5 °C under both irrigation regimes and in all soil amendment treatments. It was concluded that these predicted mathematical models can provide crucial insights for enhancing production in arid regions by using eco-friendly soil amendments to improve water use efficiency across diverse types of water irrigation.

Environmental impact assessment of horse and mechanical traction for vineyard cultivation

In the European Union, energy consumption in agriculture and forestry is less intense than in other economic sectors. However, fossil and non-renewable sources, particularly oil, are predominant, with higher percentages than in different economic sectors. In this context, this study aims to compare the environmental impact generated by equine and mechanical traction for viticulture practices in an organic production context, using life cycle assessment (LCA). Three scenarios were considered: business as usual (i.e., tractor-grown grapes) and horse-grown grapes but with two feeding options (tractor-grown hay and horse-grown hay). The results show that the tractor-grown grape scenario has higher impacts in five impact categories whereas the horse-grown scenario shows higher Global Warming, and to a minor extent Land use. Specifically, the worst results of the control scenario are in the mid-point category of Inorganic Respiratory due to fuel use, which produces P M 2.5. Fuel use is also the cause of the highest environmental burdens in other categories such as terrestrial Ecotoxicity. A sensitive analysis of the results was performed considering the endpoint damage categories. The outcomes show that, in general, the impact of horses is quite stable even under potentially different conditions. Some categories (ecosystem quality, global impact) are only slightly affected by variation in growth time, while all other categories (human health, resources, climate change) experience greater variation.

НОРМИРОВАНИЕ ВОДОПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ УГОДИЙ И КУЛЬТУР С УЧЕТОМ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННО-ВРЕМЕННОЙ ИЗМЕНЧИВОСТИ ГИДРОМЕТЕОРОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ

The article presents the developed calculation methodology for environmental regulation of water consumption of agricultural land and crops, taking into account the spatiotemporal variability of climatic, hydrological, soil and biological indicators of the natural system. It is noted that the human pressure in the form of a deficit in water consumption of agricultural land and crops should be based on the principles of energy balance of heat, moisture and nutrients, taking into account natural conditions that ensure targeted regulation and management of soil-forming processes in hydro-agrolandscapes. The developed model and algorithm for assessing water consumption in agriculture are built using two models for rationing water consumption - agricultural land and crops, which makes it possible to determine the most important criteria for environmental management in irrigated agriculture and is of great importance in ensuring food security of the population.

A globalized methodology of energy-saving solar greenhouse design in high latitudes

A globalized methodology of energy-saving solar greenhouse design in high latitudes

Agrochemicals and crop productivity losses

Objective: The aim of this research is to reflect briefly on the importance of the use of agrochemicals in the productivity of some crops according to their contribution to yield, and some implications of their agricultural consumption. Design/methodology/approach: Based on related literature and some experiences in the field on the use and consumption of pesticides. Results: Pesticides are synthetic, microbial or derived organic compounds used in plant growth programs to prevent or control pests, diseases, and weeds. Also, mineral nutrition (with macro and micronutrients) is considered as agrochemicals. However, the effects on the contamination of soils, groundwater, lakes, seas and oceans due to its use is increasing. Mexico is a large consumer of fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers and herbicides for agricultural uses. Limitations on study/implications: Unmeasured use of any type of pesticide can produce tons of pesticide-trash. Some traces of active or inert ingredients can be detected in bodies of water. Findings/conclusions: The constant risk of agronomic yield losses can be substantial without the use of agrochemicals. Without the application of pesticides, yield losses can reach 100%.