Sustainable Agriculture Research Articles

Profiling the diversity of the village chicken faecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing data to reveal patterns of gut microbiome signatures

IntroductionThe production environment of extensively raised village chickens necessitates their adaptability to low-resource systems. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in supporting this adaptability by influencing health and productivity. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and functional capacities of the faecal microbiome in village chickens from Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa.MethodsUsing a combination of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing technologies, we analysed 98 16S rRNA and 72 metagenomic datasets. Taxonomic profiles and functional gene annotations were derived, focusing on microbial diversity, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and potential zoonotic pathogens.ResultsTaxonomic analysis showed that the predominant phyla in both provinces were Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, Escherichia and Shigella were prevalent, with Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae identified as major contributors to the gut microbiome. ARGs were identified, with MarA, PmrF, and AcrE detected in KwaZulu-Natal, and cpxA, mdtG, and TolA in Limpopo. These genes primarily mediate antibiotic efflux and alteration.DiscussionThe detection of zoonotic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. highlights potential health risks to humans through the food chain, emphasizing the importance of improved household hygiene practices. This study underscores the role of the gut microbiome in village chicken health and adaptability, linking microbial diversity to production efficiency in low-resource settings. Targeted interventions and further research are crucial for mitigating zoonotic risks and enhancing sustainability in village chicken farming.

Impact of organic and inorganic sources of nutrition on the morpho-physiological, biochemical, yield traits and uptake of nutrients by mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

ABSTRACT Mung bean is a vital legume crop in Pakistan, contributing significantly to both dietary needs and agricultural sustainability due to its rich nutrient content and soil-enhancing properties through nitrogen fixation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vermicompost, simple compost and NP fertiliser on the morpho-physiological, biochemical and yield characteristics of mung bean. Treatments included vermicompost, compost and their combinations with NP fertiliser. Key parameters assessed were plant height, crop germination, leaf size, nodule viability, pod length, grain protein content and yield attributes. Results indicated that while vermicompost alone improved growth and productivity, the combination of 50% vermicompost with 50% NP fertiliser yielded the highest productivity. Intermediate results were observed with a mixture of 25% vermicompost, 25% compost and 50% NP fertiliser, whereas the control (100% NP fertiliser) and compost treatments alone resulted in the lowest productivity and decreased soil fertility. The study concluded that integrating organic and chemical fertilisers, particularly at a 50:50 vermicompost to NP fertiliser ratio, is optimal for enhancing mung bean yield and soil health.

Advanced application of alkaline/basic electrolyzed water in the food and agriculture industry as cleaning, processing, preserving, and functional agents.

With a growing emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly technologies, the food industry is actively seeking innovative solutions to improve safety, quality, and operational efficiency. Alkaline/basic electrolyzed water (ALEW/BEW), produced through the electrochemical dissociation of water and salts, presents a promising alternative that minimizes environmental impact while enhancing hygiene and safety standards. While prior studies have explored its individual applications, comprehensive reviews specifically examining ALEW/BEW within food systems are scarce. This review aims to fill the gap in current research by providing a comprehensive analysis of the latest developments in ALEW/BEW applications across food processing, preservation, and agriculture. It highlights the significant advancements in ALEW/BEW's role in decontamination, pesticide residue removal, bioactive compound extraction, and shelf-life extension, distinguishing it from other sanitation technologies. Distinct from previous work, this review delves into ALEW/BEW's overlooked health benefits, including enhancing gut health, circulation, oral hygiene, and reducing oxidative stress. It also explores its potential in sustainable agriculture, focusing on soil pH, crop resistance, and livestock health. While acknowledging challenges such as instability, corrosion, and regulatory barriers, this review offers a forward-looking perspective on overcoming these issues. By synthesizing the latest research, this review contributes a new, integrated understanding of ALEW/BEW's role in food safety, quality, sustainability, and human health, offering valuable insights for academia and industry.

Sharing and Co-Creating Value: Innovation in Platform-Based Agricultural Service Models Driven by Service Demand Collaboration—A Case Study of the JN Life

Platform-based agricultural service models have increasingly become a primary approach to agricultural socialized services in China. This study investigates a service-demand-driven platform-based agricultural service model through the case of JN Life initiated by nine ecological farms. Based on the theory of value co-creation, it traces the development of the JN platform ecosystem across three phases: emergence, formation, and expansion. The study examines how farm members and key stakeholders of the JN platform actively collaborate throughout these phases, transitioning from value propositions to institutional arrangements, resource integration, and achieving value co-creation. This process is referred to as an endogenous (vs. exogenous) platform-based agricultural service model. The findings provide valuable insights into advancing the sustainable development of ecological farms and agricultural socialized services, as well as enhancing collaborative innovation in the platform ecosystem.

Investigating the Impact of Sustainable Rice Cultivation Processes (Alternative Wetting and Drying and Direct Seeded Rice) on the Indian Agrarian Economy and its Contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability has become an integral part of the United Nations’ development goals to ensure that the usage of resources in the present does not deplete the quality or quantity of resources available for future generations. The importance of sustainable agricultural practices has increased by manifolds when combating environmental and food security challenges. Rice cultivation in India alone comprises 26% of global rice production hence alternative rice farming methods are being explored for their potential contribution to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that the agrarian economy in India is growing at a sustainable rate.i This study aims to analyse the extent to which alternative sustainable rice cultivation methods (Alternative Wetting and Drying [AWD] and Direct Seeded Rice [DSR]) align with Social Development goals and impact the Indian economy. The research employs a qualitative analysis of secondary data from academic journals, government reports, and industry publications to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of sustainable rice farming methods. The findings indicate that practices such as DSR and AWD significantly reduce water usage, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil health aligning with the SDGs (specifically SDG 12 [Responsible Consumption and Production] SDG 13 [Climate Change] and SDG 15 [Life on Earth]). Additionally, these practices are shown to offer long-term economic benefits for farmers through increased yields and reduced input costs and provide an external benefit to society by reducing the harmful impact of the wastage of water and greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. This study also discusses various government policies and private-sector projects that have incentivised farmers to adopt these sustainable rice cultivation practices. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how sustainable agricultural practices can be leveraged to achieve global sustainability goals, offering a model for integrating environmental and economic objectives in agricultural policy.

A meta-analysis of the impact of TOE adoption on smart agriculture SMEs performance.

Agricultural SMEs face distinct challenges due to factors such as weather, climate change, and commodity price changes. Technology has become essential in helping SMEs overcome these challenges and grow their businesses. The relationship between technology and SMEs in the agriculture sector covers various aspects, such as using hardware and software, digital applications, sensors, and e-commerce strategies to be examined in further depth through literature study. The implementation of the TOE (technology, organization, and environment) framework in smart agriculture faces several challenges. To overcome these challenges, an integrated approach is needed that involves technological capacity building, organizational management changes, and adequate policy and infrastructure support to help SMEs in the agricultural sector develop their businesses. This research aims to demonstrate and identify how TOE plays an important role in the performance of SMEs, particularly with regard to agriculture in order to improve agricultural productivity, efficiency, and sustainability while enabling access to broader markets in several countries. This study employs a meta-analysis method using a quantitative approach taken by each publication, which typically used SEM. PRISMA technique was used to examine evidence from clinical trials, and clinical significance was determined using the GRADE approach. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher test to combine the results of several studies and Cohen's approach to interpreting effect sizes. The results of this study are in line with the findings of 27 previous studies which showed a direct positive relationship between TOE construction and the performance of agricultural SMEs, with variables including technological factors, organizational factors, environmental factors, and SME performance. The synergy between technology adoption by agricultural SMEs and Industry 4.0 can increase connectivity and automation in the agricultural sector. However, it is important to remember that adopting TOE to realize the smart agriculture concept has its own challenges and risks, such as resource management (technology), good organizational management (organization), and internal and external organizational environments (environments), including intense competition. TOE adoption improves access to information about competitors and customers, providing practitioners and decision-makers with a clearer understanding. It enables focus on factors with a significant impact on TOE adoption, so that they are more independent in developing effective business concepts that are adaptive to the era of agricultural technology 4.0.

Maintaining Silage Corn Production Under Sodic Irrigation Water Conditions in a Semi-Arid Environment

The Zayandeh-Rud watershed of Iran has had water scarcity for decades, giving rise to pressures toward limiting water allocation for the agriculture sector. Marginal waters can be an alternative source for irrigated agriculture in water-scarce regions if adequately managed. One of the critical hazards for sustainable agriculture and the environment is the accumulated salinity–sodicity problem as a consequence of irrigating with unconventional waters. Applying additional water beyond the crop water requirement, known as leaching application, has been suggested as a solution to this problem. A physical model was built to investigate the effects of the severe sodicity and salinity conditions of irrigation water by creating 250 mm diameter soil columns (27 columns) filled with sandy clay loam soil. The severity of the irrigation water’s sodicity (sodium adsorption ratios (SAR): 5.27, 16.56, and 28.57) and its interactions with various leaching fractions (0%, 15%, and 30%) on critical soil chemical characteristics and corn yield were studied. Implementing a 30% leaching fraction reduced the SAR and salinity in the soil’s first layer (0–10 cm) when irrigating with saline–hyper-sodic water (SAR = 28.57 and ECiw = 9 dS/m). However, an elevated level of sodicity accumulation in the soil profile was observed, emphasizing the importance of adding calcium and magnesium amendments during the irrigation season. A noticeable increase in the efficiency of leaching applications in reducing accumulated salts and the sodicity level in the corn rootzone was detected with higher levels of irrigation water sodicity. The reduction in the accumulated salinity and sodium in the first soil layer due to implementing a 30% leaching fraction resulted in a 223.3% increase in the total biomass of silage corn. Applying a 30% leaching fraction also increased the corn biomass by 58% and 114.56% when irrigating with waters with 5.57 and 16.56 SAR values. The effectiveness of a 15% leaching fraction for enhancing the soil and crop conditions was significantly lower than that of the 30% leaching fraction. Nevertheless, in case of unavailability of sufficient water supply for irrigation purposes, applying a 15% leaching fraction could mitigate the consequences of sodic water irrigation. The results demonstrate that in the absence of the proper calcium amendments, the implementation of leaching management could still be effective in enhancing corn production under sodic water irrigation conditions.

Investigation of the mechanisms involved in the biocontrol activities of natural products from a marine soil bacterium against rice blast.

Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a devastating fungal disease threatening global rice production. Overreliance on chemical fungicides has raised environmental concerns and led to resistant strains, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. This study integrated marine microbiology and natural antifungal compounds to create eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for disease management. We identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa R64 with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity from mangrove soil in the Mai Po Nature Reserve. The R64 fermentation extract (RFE) exhibited multifaceted inhibition of P. oryzae, suppressing mycelial growth, conidiation, conidial germination and appressorial formation, while disturbing cell wall and membrane function. It also attenuated virulence by impairing appressorial penetration and invasive growth. Further chemical analysis identified phenazines and quinolines as the primary compounds in RFE, corroborated by PCR detection of corresponding phenazine biosynthetic gene clusters. Comparative bioassays with two main bioactive components of RFE, phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) and phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), against P. oryzae implicated PCN as the principal antifungal effector. RFE and PCN had higher efficacy than tricyclazole in P. oryzae growth inhibition, but were less effective than isoprothiolane. Furthermore, RFE and PCN displayed lower acute ecotoxicity to an environmental indicator organism than isoprothiolane, suggesting their potential as sustainable biopesticides for rice blast management. Natural products from mangrove soil bacterium P. aeruginosa R64 inhibited key developmental and infection processes of P. oryzae, effectively reducing rice blast development. The promising disease inhibition and low ecotoxicity of mangrove-associated bacteria highlight their untapped potential for innovative, eco-friendly fungicide mining for sustainable agriculture. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Restoring Soil Fertility through Organic Amendments: Impacts on Agriculture and Human Health

The application of organic amendments in agriculture has become a vital approach to addressing key challenges in Indian agriculture, such as fragmented landholdings, inadequate irrigation, and declining soil fertility. These amendments, which are added to soil to enhance its physical, chemical, and biological properties, play a significant role in promoting sustainable farming. Organic amendments like compost, manure, and green manure serve as excellent sources of organic carbon and essential nutrients. They improve soil structure, enhance drainage, and facilitate nutrient cycling while mitigating soil alkalinity and fostering microbial activity, thereby supporting overall soil health. Research highlights the effectiveness of organic amendments in improving soil quality. Organic amendments also offer notable benefits for human health by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers and minimizing toxic residues. They decrease the risks of heavy metal contamination and pesticide exposure. Adopting organic amendments supports the broader goals of sustainable agriculture by enhancing biodiversity, improving soil fertility, and reducing environmental and health risks. Nevertheless, further research is needed to refine these practices, optimize their application, and thoroughly evaluate their effects on human well-being and agricultural productivity. Organic amendments offer a promising solution to meet the growing food demands of an expanding population while maintaining ecological balance and ensuring food security.

Pengomposan Beberapa Macam Hasil Samping Perkebunan Sawit (Tankos dan Daun) dengan Berbagai Dekomposer

ABSTRACT This research examines the potential of oil palm leaves as raw material for compost, carried out in Bandar Pasir Mandoge Village, North Sumatra, from March to May 2023, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two main factors: compost material and type of decomposer. The compost material consists of tankos, leaves, and a mixture of tankos+leaves, while the decomposer consists of decomposers D1, D2, and D3. The parameters measured include C/N ratio, weight loss, compost color, compost odor, compost pH value, compost temperature, compost humidity, and compost friability. The research results showed significant variations in C/N ratio values ​​for organic materials, with values ​​ranging from 12 to 38. Compost material from leaves with D1 decomposer achieved the lowest C/N ratio value, while tankos compost with D1 decomposer had the highest value. Decomposer D2 is more effective in speeding up the decomposition process compared to D1 and D3. The fastest compost shrinkage occurred in the treatment with D3 decomposer, while the longest shrinkage occurred in the treatment with D1 decomposer. This research supports the principles of sustainable agriculture by utilizing high fiber organic waste and reducing environmental pollution. Tankos organic material decomposes the fastest, and the D2 decomposer is more effective than other decomposers. There is a real interaction between organic materials and decomposers on compost quality. Keywords: Tankos, leaves, compost, decomposer

Synthesis, characterization and toxicity assessment of chlorantraniliprole nanoemulsion against Helicoverpa armigera

Helicoverpa armigera is a highly devastating and polyphagous pest attacking on different field crops. Effective management of this pest is essential for sustainable agriculture. While traditional chemical pesticides are widely used for their immediate results and ease of application, nanoemulsions offer a promising alternative, paving the way for advanced, efficient pesticide formulations.The current research aimed to develop oil-in-water (O/W) chlorantraniliprole stable nanoemulsion using combinations of different solvents (butanol, dimethyl sulfoxide and toluene), tween- 80 (non-ionic surfactant) and sodium laurel sulfonate (anionic co-surfactant) to reduce the dose and increase toxicity of chlorantraniliprole as targeted pesticide. Ultrasonication, a high energy emulsification method, is adopted to obtain the particle size in nanometre (nm). The nano size of emulsion is confirmed by Dynamic light scattering (62.43 nm), Scanning electron microscopy (55 ± 5 nm), X-ray diffraction (42.9 nm), and Transmission electron microscopy (22.5 ± 2.5 nm), Stability of synthesized nanoemulsion is confirmed via, centrifugation, freeze thaw cycle, heating cooling test, and zeta potential. Moreover, the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole nanoformulations is evaluated against H. armigera and compared with commercially available chlorantraniliprole formulation (18.5 SC). Chlorantraniliprole nanoemulsion formulation is 3.3 times more toxic than commercial formulation using topical application method (3rd instar larvae) and 2.2 times more toxic than commercial formulation using diet incorporation method (1st instar larvae). Consequently, this cutting-edge research holds great potential for revolutionizing targeted pesticide delivery systems, paving the way for more effective and precise pest management in agriculture.

Study on the Synergistic Effects of Plant Growth Regulators and Biostimulants on Flowering and Yield of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.)

The study explored the effects of plant growth regulators and bio stimulants on ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) flowering and yield. Experiment was conducted at the Herbal Garden, College of Agriculture, Raichur, during the late kharif season (2023-24). The experiment was designed using a Randomized Complete Block Design with thirteen treatments and two replications. Among the treatments, a foliar spray of ethrel at 200 ppm combined with humic acid at 20 ml l-1 significantly enhanced various flowering parameters. This treatment resulted in a decrease in the number of male flowers per vine (107.36), while the number of female flowers per vine (27.53) increased. The sex ratio reduced to 3.90 and the fruit set percentage improved to 75.97%. Also, it led to increases in fruit length (35.57 cm), fruit diameter (3.73 cm), fruit weight (0.143 kg), fruit yield per vine (2.78 kg) and fruit yield per hectare (26.77 t). These findings suggest that using ethrel and humic acid together can be a practical strategy for boosting ridge gourd production, which can be beneficial for both sustainable farming practices.

Exploring the Grape Agrivoltaic System: Climate Modulation and Vine Benefits in the Puglia Region, Southeastern Italy

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, a sector with a long-standing tradition in the Mediterranean basin. The region faces altered rainfall patterns, extreme temperatures, aridification, loss of biodiversity, and changes in crop yield and quality. These impacts, combined with intensive farming practices, threaten long-term agricultural sustainability. This study investigates agrivoltaics (AVs), a dual-use technology that integrates solar energy production (photovoltaic panels) with agriculture, as a potential solution to enhance resilience and adaptation of crops. Research at an AV system in Puglia (Southeastern Italy), combined with grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), assessed soil moisture, temperature, and microclimate conditions together with vine yield and fruitfulness. Results showed that shading from photovoltaic panels increased soil moisture and moderated soil temperature, thus benefiting crops. Vines beneath the panels yielded more grapes (+277%) than in the full sun, confirmed by even the better bud fruitfulness of the shaded canes. While panels had minimal impact on air temperature, they reduced wind speed and vapor pressure deficit, creating a better microenvironment for vines. Spectral analysis revealed an increase in UV and blue light under the panels, potentially affecting photosynthesis. The AV system also produced substantial electricity, more than 90% compared to a ground-mounted system, demonstrating its dual-use application. The higher land equivalent ratio (LER) achieved by the AV system (3.54) confirmed that such systems can be advantageous in areas with a Mediterranean climate, allowing crop and energy production on the same land.

Induced Systemic Resistance-Mediated Defense Against Alternaria Blight Disease in Lentil by Pesticide Degrading Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria.

Enzymatic and antioxidative responses are key defense mechanisms in plants following pathogen invasion, collectively known as induced systemic resistance (ISR). Alternaria sp., a well-known soil-borne pathogen, causes blight diseases in various crops. This study investigates the defence response in lentil plants through the treatment-induced application of two multipotent pesticide degrading plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacillus cereus and Bacillus safensis, to mitigate the destructive effects of Alternaria. Both bacterial strains were applied in different carrier-based bioformulations via soil drenching. We assessed the modulation of defense-related enzymes by various combinational treatments with the Alternaria pathogen. The in vitro production of antimicrobial compounds was analyzed using GC-MS to confirm their pathogen-suppressive capabilities. Field trials showed a positive correlation between treatments and improvements in yield and growth index (GI). The highest (180%) enzymatic induction of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) followed by catalase (CAT)(100%) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) (54%), was observed in treatments with B. cereus alone or in combination with B. safensis, in presence of Alternaria, in respect to the control. In vitro analysis revealed the production of antimicrobial compounds, including benzoic acid derivatives, cyclotetrasiloxanes, hexacosane, chlorpyrifos, and phthalates, which may contribute to pathogen suppression. Our findings demonstrate that these biocontrol agents (BCAs) not only stimulate the plant's enzymatic defense system but also enhance growth, seed yield and produce several antimicrobial compounds in vitro. Thus, pesticide-tolerant PGPR, used in this study, exhibit both disease control and plant growth-promoting properties, offering promising applications in sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of Suitable Cultivation Sites for Gastrodia elata Using GIS: A Comparison of Various Classification Methods

Gastrodia elata has been a valuable medicinal resource in the East for approximately 3000 years. In South Korea, G. elata is cultivated in open-fields or greenhouses near residential areas. However, due to severe continuous damage, cultivation sites need to be frequently relocated, leading to a shortage of available cultivation areas. Alternatively, farmers are focusing on mountain cultivation. This study analyzed suitable cultivation sites for G. elata in mountainous areas using a geographic information system (GIS) and applied various classification methods to identify their characteristics and similarities. The analysis showed that the Natural Breaks (Jenks) classification method maximized the differences between grades, whereas the Quantile method reclassified the area of suitable sites to a relatively high proportion. In contrast, the Equal Interval method reclassified the areas of suitable and unsuitable sites to a lower proportion, whereas the Geometric Interval method best demonstrated extreme-temperature regions as unsuitable sites. Among the classification methods, the Natural Breaks (Jenks) and Geometric Interval methods yielded the most similar results. These findings provide critical methodological outcomes for G. elata cultivation and sustainable agriculture and forestry. Future empirical research and the application of climate change scenarios are necessary to enhance the sustainability of the G. elata cultivation industry.

Smart Farmland for Crop Prevention & Animal Intrusion Detection Using IOT

In modern agriculture, protecting crops and liv estock from intrusions and ensuring their safety is crucial for maintaining farm productivity and reducing losses. This project introduces a smart farmland management system utilizing IoT technologies to detect and prevent animal intrusions. The system employs a Raspberry Pi coupled with a camera to monitor the farmland continuously. When the camera detects the presence of animals, it triggers a buzzer to deter the intruders, creating an immediate response to protect the crops. This real-time intervention helps minimize potential damage and keeps the animals away from the farm. Smart Farmland is an innovative IoT-based system designed to prevent crop damage and detect animal intrusions in agricultural fields.The system is equipped with a GSM module that sends instant notifications to the farmer's mobile device whenever an intrusion is detected. This feature ensures that the farmer is promptly informed of any threats, allowing for timely intervention and management. By integrating these technologies, the system not only enhances farm security but also streamlines communication between the farm and its caretaker, ultimately leading to improved farm management and reduced crop and livestock loss.The goal of Smart Farmland is to create a cutting-edge, IoT-based system for agricultural fields that utilizes real-time monitoring and automated alerts to prevent crop damage and detect animal intrusions, enabling farmers to take swift action and protect their crops. By leveraging innovative technologies, Smart Farmland aims to enhance crop yields, reduce losses, and increase agricultural productivity, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and efficient farming practice. Key Words: IoT-based farming, crop protection, animal intrusion detection, real-time monitoring, automated alerts, Raspberry Pi, camera, sensor technology, GSM module, smart agriculture, precision farming, farm security, crop yield optimization, agricultural productivity, sustainable farming, farming innovation, technology in agriculture, farm management, animal deterrent

AI and Related Technologies in the Fields of Smart Agriculture: A Review

The integration of cutting-edge technologies—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and various emerging technologies—is revolutionizing agricultural practices, enhancing productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. The objective of this study is to review the literature regarding the development and evolution of AI as well as other emerging technologies in the various fields of Agriculture as they are developed and transformed by integrating the above technologies. The areas examined in this study are open field smart farming, vertical and indoor farming, zero waste agriculture, precision livestock farming, smart greenhouses, and regenerative agriculture. This paper links current research, technological innovations, and case studies to present a comprehensive review of these emerging technologies being developed in the context of smart agriculture, for the benefit of farmers and consumers in general. By exploring practical applications and future perspectives, this work aims to provide valuable insights to address global food security challenges, minimize environmental impacts, and support sustainable development goals through the application of new technologies.

Balancing Nature and Nurture: The Role of Biocontrol Agents in Shaping Plant Microbiomes for Sustainable Agriculture

Microbial communities in the plant environment are highly dynamic, with bacterial populations rapidly responding to changes. Numerous studies have examined how both inherent plant characteristics and environmental factors shape plant-associated microbiota. These factors determine which bacterial communities thrive and how they interact with plants; certain conditions favor beneficial bacteria, and others support pathogens. In this mini-review, we focus on an additional factor influencing plant microbiomes and their surrounding environments: the use of biocontrol agents. The increasing application of microbial inoculants and their metabolites as biocontrol strategies in agriculture has created a critical knowledge gap about the effects of introducing non-native bacterial species into natural plant ecosystems. The inoculation of plants and their environments with exogenous biocontrol microorganisms has the potential to alter microbial community diversity and composition, presenting both opportunities and challenges for sustainable agricultural practices.

In-vitro effectiveness of aqueous extract of organic compost against Helminthosporium turcicum (cryptogamic disease pathogen of maize)

Sustainable agriculture requires the application of biofertilizers and biopesticides in farming systems. The aim of the study was to analyze in-vitro the effect of aqueous extracts from organic compost on the development of cryptogamic disease in maize plants for yield improvement. The study was carried out in the laboratory using a pure strain of Helminthosporium turcicum previously isolated from infected maize leaves showing symptoms of the disease. Aqueous substrates of unsterilized and sterilized composts, with the concentrations 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mL were respectively mixed with liquid PDA at 19.5; 19 and 18 mL for a final volume of 20 ml, then aseptically poured into 90 mm diameter Petri dishes under the laminar flow hood. After solidification, 7 mm-diameter mycelial discs from young H. turcicum cultures were deposited on the agar pellets. 48 hours after incubation, mycelial growth was measured 4 times until the positive control Petri dish was invaded by mycelial filaments. The results showed that the mycelial growth of the H. turcicum strain in the presence of the sterilized aqueous compost extract was significantly reduced. Increasing the concentration significantly inhibited strain growth to the order of 95.89% at a concentration of 2 mL sterilized aqueous compost extract. Similarly, in the presence of the unsterilized aqueous compost extract, the mycelial growth of H. turcicum was also reduced. The Increasing concentration inhibited the pathogen growth by up to 76.92%, at the concentration of 2 mL. These results showed that the aqueous extract of organic compost contains compounds that could be responsible for producing suppressive substances accountable for the mechanisms inhibiting the mycelial growth of H. turcicum. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(2): 62-73, December 2024

Comprehensive Analysis of a YOLO-based Deep Learning Model for Cotton Plant Leaf Disease Detection

Diagnosis of cotton plant diseases is essential to maintain agricultural sustainability and output. This study proposes a YOLO-based deep learning model for leaf disease detection to maximize cotton plant leaf disease detection accuracy. This method ensures a comprehensive evaluation of cotton plant health by combining various image processing techniques, improving the accuracy of disease identification. This study provides a viable path to improve crop health monitoring and management in cotton farming systems and emphasizes the importance of utilizing cutting-edge image processing techniques in agricultural activities. ROC curve performance and classification metrics were better for YOLOv5 than for VGG16 and ResNet50, as it had the highest F1 score (99.21%), recall, and precision. Consistent performance in classification tests was demonstrated by all models, which showed balanced precision, recall, and F1 scores. ResNet50 marginally outperformed VGG16 in terms of true positive rates, F1 score (98.88% vs. 98.65%), recall, and precision. More sophisticated models, such as YOLOv5 and ResNet50, showed higher efficiency and accuracy than VGG16, which makes them more appropriate for applications demanding low false positive rates and high precision. The proposed YOLO-based method improves the accuracy of disease identification, ensuring a thorough assessment of cotton plant health using image processing techniques. The results show that the proposed approach is quite successful in correctly detecting and classifying a variety of diseases that affect cotton plants.