Agricultural Resources Research Articles

Amplifying Voices for Climate Resilience: Farm Radio's Role in Maize Farmers’ Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts in Kumbungu District, Ghana

ABSTRACT Climate change poses a significant threat to smallholder farmers, who are disproportionately affected due to their reliance on rain-fed agriculture and limited resources for adaptation. Farm radio programmes have emerged as a vital tool to offer an accessible and cost-effective means to deliver climate-related knowledge, crucial for building resilience. This study assesses how these programmes promote climate adaptation and mitigation strategies among farmers. Data from 120 farmers were gathered through a cross-sectional survey. Results show that interviews (82.5%) were the most common strategy used by farm radio programmes. Farmers found the information clear and easy to understand (Mean = 4.07) and believed it enabled them to share knowledge (Mean = 4.23). All the farmers (100%) adopted fertiliser management. Farmers who highly participate in radio are more likely to adopt fertiliser management, planting shade trees and intercropping at 1%. We recommend the implementation of solar-powered radio stations in rural areas to enhance the reliability of farm radio programmes.

Factors Affecting the Drought Preparedness in Somaliland

Somaliland, located in the Horn of Africa, has been increasingly vulnerable to recurring droughts over the past years, severely affecting its agricultural productivity, water resources, and overall resilience. Despite the rising frequency of these natural disasters, there is limited research on the factors influencing residents’ preparedness, which hinders effective disaster management efforts. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence the perceived effectiveness of Somaliland residents towards drought preparedness by utilizing an extended Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) approach. The latent variables that were considered in this study were Government Intervention, Drought Awareness, Environmental Awareness, Coping Appraisal, Threat Appraisal, Behavioral Intention, and Perceived Effectiveness. Two hundred fifty-four (254) people living in Somaliland from all regional areas willingly responded to the survey questions by utilizing a snowball sampling method. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) showed that drought awareness and environmental awareness had significant effects on threat appraisal. In addition, environmental awareness also had a significant positive effect on coping appraisal. Finally, threat appraisal and coping appraisal had significant effects on behavioral intention, which subsequently led to perceived effectiveness. This study addresses a gap in academic research and disaster preparedness efforts in Somaliland by providing insights into the theoretical framework that can enhance the country’s preparedness for drought and other natural hazards.

Identification of Peanut Cultivars with Low Cadmium Contents and Their Rhizosphere Microbial Characteristics in Alkaline and Acidic Cadmium-Contaminated Fields

Employing crop cultivars with low cadmium (Cd) accumulation and high yield is an effective strategy for the sustainable and safe utilization of Cd-contaminated farmland. However, the current understanding of peanut cultivars, particularly under field conditions, is limited. This study identified low-Cd cultivars and their rhizosphere microbial characteristics in acidic and alkaline fields with moderate Cd contamination. The results indicated that cultivars LH11, FH1, LH14, and YH9414 exhibited low Cd accumulation and high yield, with kernel Cd content reduced by 27.27% to 47.28% and yield increased by 9.27% to 14.17% compared with cultivar SLH. Among them, FH1 was validated to achieve safe production in two fields. A unique microbial community was formed by the recruitment of diverse microbes, such as Alphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Chloroflexi, to the rhizosphere soil of FH1, which might be associated with Cd immobilization and the promotion of plant growth. Functional predictions further validated these findings, revealing enhanced functional pathways in the FH1 rhizosphere related to microbial proliferation, Cd stabilization, and detoxification. This study provides valuable germplasm resources for safe agriculture of Cd-polluted soils and elucidates the rhizosphere microbial characteristics of different peanut cultivars under field conditions. These findings are important for the targeted management of contaminated farmland and ensuring safe food production.

From Dry to Temperate: How Climate Change Alters Growing Seasons?

ABSTRACTThe thermal growing season, which represents a plant's theoretical growth season, is a key indicator of phenology's response to climate change. Using thermal growing season indices (start, end and length) and their sensitivity to air temperature, this study examines how climate change impacts them. For various climate types of Iran, Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope tests were applied to examine trends in thermal growing season indices at two temperature thresholds: 5°C (for cold‐season plants) and 10°C (for tropical plants) between 1995 and 2020. Using a novel heuristic algorithm, multiple linear regressions were used to determine the most influential seasonal air temperature indices including mean, range and extreme on thermal growth indices as well. Plants in cold and temperate climates experienced significant early onset and lengthening of their growing seasons, with tropical plants on northern coasts experiencing the earliest onset (14.7 days/decade) and the lengthening growing season (16 days/decade). For plants in cold climates, the end of the growing season was also delayed (5 days/decade). The onset growth season was most sensitive to spring minimum and average temperatures in cold and temperate climates, while it was most sensitive to winter average temperatures in dry climates. In cold climates, changing spring and winter temperature ranges also affected the onset of the growing season, while in dry climates, changing autumn temperature ranges affected the end of the growing season. However, extreme temperatures only affect the end of the growing season in temperate climates. Furthermore, the early onset of the growing season is the primary factor contributing to the lengthening of the growing season in all climates. The findings of this study can assist in developing and implementing agriculture and water resource management strategies that mitigate climate change's adverse effects.

Monitoring changes and multi-scenario simulations of land use and ecosystem service values in coastal cities: A case study of Qingdao, China.

The study of land cover dynamics and the valuation of ecosystem services in coastal cities is pivotal for guiding sustainable urban development and conserving natural resources amidst the unique challenges posed by their geographical and ecological contexts. This study utilizes a 30m × 30m land use/cover change (LUCC) dataset to elucidate the spatiotemporal evolution of LUCC and ecosystem service value (ESV) and the trade-offs and synergistic relationships among ecosystem services in the coastal city of Qingdao under three different scenarios over the past 35years and in the future based on the dual perspective of the past-future by using the equivalent factor approach (EFA), the PLUS model, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The findings reveal a pronounced expansion in built-up areas in Qingdao from 1985 to 2020, with a concomitant significant reduction in cropland, leading to a fluctuation in the total ESV, which initially increased and then declined. This indicates the intense pressure Qingdao faces in terms of agricultural development and ecological conservation. By 2030, under scenarios of natural development, cropland protection, and ecological protection, Qingdao is projected to experience varied degrees of ESV decline, amounting to 1.989 billion, 0.803 billion, and 0.142 billion yuan respectively, with the natural development scenario showing a rapid decrease in ESV around the Jiaozhou Bay area. The spatial ESV patterns under the cropland protection and ecological protection scenarios remain largely consistent with those of 2020, as does the spatial configuration of land use across all scenarios. The ecological protection scenario, demonstrating the least reduction in ESV, emerges as the optimal strategy for balancing urban development with ecological sustainability, advocating it as the preferred pathway for Qingdao's future urban planning. Over the past 35 years, Qingdao's ecosystem services have primarily exhibited synergies, although significant trade-offs remain between agricultural expansion and water supply. Additionally, there are some trade-offs between gas regulation and nutrient cycling with water supply. Under different scenarios for 2030, while the trade-off between agricultural output and water resource conservation persists, the ecologicalprotection scenario significantly enhances synergies among all service categories. This study provides an EFA-PLUS-ESV framework that offers innovations for modeling future ecosystem service values and their trade-offs and synergistic relationships.

Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice

The increasing pressure on food security and environmental sustainability has emphasized the importance of effective farm resource usage. Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) have been considered as one of the solutions to these challenges. Multiple stakeholders and agencies working in the agriculture sector have implemented various initiatives to facilitate their adoption. Despite numerous initiatives, the adoption of PATs in small farms is shallow in the United States. It is important to understand what socio-economic and demographic factors influence their decision-making regarding PAT adoption. This research aimed to provide actionable insights that can help farmers overcome existing challenges and capitalize on the benefits of advanced agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector. This study used a mixed approach (a combination of mail, in-person, and focus group discussion) to investigate factors influencing PAT adoption by small-scale farmers in Kentucky. The data were analyzed using the binary logistic regression method. The results revealed that farm size and longer years of farming experience increased the likelihood of PAT adoption, whereas farmers’ age negatively affected adoption. Other demographic variables, such as gender, income, and education, did not influence adoption significantly. To promote the adoption of PATs among small farmers in Kentucky, policies should focus on supporting younger farmers and building PATs suitable for operating in small farms and reducing barriers. Furthermore, providing targeted training and resources to small-scale farmers can help to promote the adoption of these technologies, thereby improving agricultural efficiency and sustainability.

Impact of Spatial Evolution of Cropland Pattern on Cropland Suitability in Black Soil Region of Northeast China, 1990–2020

Agricultural land resources are essential for food production, and thus it is vital to examine the spatiotemporal changes in these resources and their impacts on land suitability to optimize resource allocation. In this study, we investigated the spatial evolution of cropland resources through land use change analysis by utilizing four periods of land use data from 1990 to 2020 in the black soil region of northeast China (BSRNC). Employing niche theory, we developed a cultivability evaluation model tailored to the BSRNC, which was used to assess the impact of the spatial changes in cropland patterns over the past 30 years on land suitability. Our key findings are as follows: (1) Cropland resources have generally tended to expand in the BSRNC, with an increase of 7.16 × 103 km2 in the cultivated area and a northeastward shift in the cropland center by 52.94 km, indicating significant changes in the spatial configuration of the land. (2) The region’s cultivable land resources were substantial, covering 694.06 × 103 km2, or 55.78% of the total area, with notable spatial variability, influenced by the regional climate and topography. (3) The land cultivability has slightly improved, as shown by a 0.10 increase in the cultivability index, but a significant declining trend in the cultivability of cropland was observed after 2000. Our findings provide valuable insights to help accurately assess land productivity in the BSRNC and facilitate the sustainable use and conservation of black soil.

Diversity of Ichthyofauna and their Abundance in Ghaghara River, Siwan District, Bihar, India

The Ghaghara River, a significant tributary of the holy River Ganga, travels across northern India., providing essential water resources for agriculture, communities and biodiversity. The river's fish diversity is vital for maintaining local ecological balance and supporting livelihoods. Fish biodiversity and different diversity indices were evaluated in the study area from August 2021 to July 2022. Data was collected from four locations namely Darauli (S-1), Rakauli (S-2), Phulwariya (S-3) and Semariya (S-4) of the Ghaghara River and we found 61 species belongs to 47 genera, 21 families and 07 orders. Cypriniformes were the most common order, accounting for 42% of fish species, followed by Siluriformes (31%), and Perciformes (18%). The most prevalent family is Cyprinidae, which accounts for 39.3% of the fish fauna (24 species), followed by Bagridae (06 species) and Sisoridae (4 species). Total number of individuals, relative abundance (percentage catch), minimum and maximum size of each species were calculated. However, the river’s aquatic ecosystems, particularly its fish populations are increasingly under threat due to human activities, including habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing and the construction of hydropower projects. This study aims to assess the fish diversity of the Ghaghara River and explore the current conservation challenges and opportunities.

Optimizing Irrigation Regimes for Peanuts in Water-Scarce Regions: A Case Study in Western Liaoning, China

Scientific irrigation scheduling is crucial for conserving agricultural water resources, as excessive irrigation diminishes crop yield and imprecise water application can equally reduce water use efficiency (WUE). In Western Liaoning Province, China, where water scarcity is critical, traditional irrigation regimes are commonly used for peanut cultivation, with local farmers applying water without considering actual crop water demands, thereby reducing water efficiency and yield. In this study, field experiments on peanuts were conducted from May to October during 2021 and 2022 in Heishan County, Western Liaoning Province, China. Four irrigation regime treatments for micro-sprinkler irrigation, with different lower limits of soil water content, were applied: T1 (55% field capacity), T2 (65% field capacity), T3 (75% field capacity), and T4 (85% field capacity). The plant height, stem thickness, root length, dry matter weight, yield, WUE, and net return were measured. Different irrigation regimes had significant effects on peanut growth. The yield was highest in the T3 treatment in 2021 at 5574 kg·hm−2. Moderate irrigation could improve the yield, but it was difficult to simultaneously achieve a high WUE. The WUE of the T3 treatment was 5% lower than that of the T2 treatment in 2022, where the WUE was the highest at 1.62 kg·m−3. The highest net return was observed in the T3 treatment at 27,307 yuan·hm−2. The T3 treatment, with the highest similarity degree of 0.83 as determined with the entropy value and TOPSIS method, was evaluated as the optimal irrigation regime. This regime not only exhibited a favorable balance of water use efficiency and yield but also maximized economic benefits, making it a recommendable practice for local peanut irrigation.

Apnet: Lightweight network for apricot tree disease and pest detection in real-world complex backgrounds

Apricot trees, serving as critical agricultural resources, hold a significant role within the agricultural domain. Conventional methods for detecting pests and diseases in these trees are notably labor-intensive. Many conditions affecting apricot trees manifest distinct visual symptoms that are ideally suited for precise identification and classification via deep learning techniques. Despite this, the academic realm currently lacks extensive, realistic datasets and deep learning strategies specifically crafted for apricot trees. This study introduces ATZD01, a publicly accessible dataset encompassing 11 categories of apricot tree pests and diseases, meticulously compiled under genuine field conditions. Furthermore, we introduce an innovative detection algorithm founded on convolutional neural networks, specifically devised for the management of apricot tree pests and diseases. To enhance the accuracy of detection, we have developed a novel object detection framework, APNet, alongside a dedicated module, the Adaptive Thresholding Algorithm (ATA), tailored for the detection of apricot tree afflictions. Experimental evaluations reveal that our proposed algorithm attains an accuracy rate of 87.1% on ATZD01, surpassing the performance of all other leading algorithms tested, thereby affirming the effectiveness of our dataset and model. The code and dataset will be made available at https://github.com/meanlang/ATZD01.

Human resources development in farming and fisheries for food security

The article delves into the issues of providing food security in the Maldives, a nation that regularly faces adverse weather conditions and natural disasters. These challenges include tsunamis, heavy rainfall, and strong winds that damage infrastructure, fishing vessels, agricultural land, contaminate freshwater resources and wash away entire islands during the monsoon season. The research purpose was to support workforce development to compensate for shortage of natural and technical resources in farming and fisheries. The explored data was collected from Maldives Bureau of Statistics. The applied statistical and clustering methods proved that training in farming should share knowledge of cutting-edge technologies like Hydroponics and Pest control, benefit female farmers, involve the youth in local agriculture and be evenly distributed among the Atolls. The study findings based on ranking and trend analysis argue that unstable employment is the paramount problem in fisheries. It is recommended to optimize a number of fishermen per vessel by Atolls and promote acquiring skills of advanced eco-friendly fishing. Overall research results created a reliable foundation for systematic development of qualified human resources in farming and fisheries that are crucial for strengthening food security in a risky environment.

Ácido salicílico mitiga os danos causados pelo déficit hídrico em sorgo forrageiro

ABSTRACT The sorghum crop is considered one of the most important worldwide due to its versatility. However, water stress can be considered a significant threat to its yield. The search for products that mitigate water stress is a crucial area of research in agriculture and water resources management. Thus, the objective in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using salicylic acid as a water stress attenuator in sorghum. The experiment was conducted in a screened environment in a randomized block design with a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates. Four levels of water (40, 60, 80, and 100% of evapotranspiration) and two concentrations of salicylic acid (0 and 2.76 g L-1) were evaluated. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll a fluorescence were analyzed. Application of deficit irrigation depths reduced plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and total chlorophyll in sorghum. However, when these depths were associated with salicylic acid, it was observed that the damage was attenuated, especially in chlorophyll a and b. Furthermore, salicylic acid reduced leaf temperature and increased water use efficiency when applied alone. Thus, salicylic acid can be used to mitigate the effects of salt stress on sorghum plants.

Soil improvement through organic fertilizers

Introduction: soil is a fundamental natural resource for agriculture, as it provides the physical support and nutrients necessary for plant growth.Objective: to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of soil after the application of organic fertilizers.Method: a review of the available literature in databases such as SciELO, Scopus and ClinicalKey was carried out, from which a total of 11 related articles were consulted. Empirical methods such as logical history and analysis and synthesis were used.Results: soil improvement is essential in modern agriculture. A well-structured soil rich in organic matter is less susceptible to erosion by wind and water. The use of organic fertilizers contributes significantly to environmental sustainability. The creation and use of customized organic fertilizers represents an innovative and sustainable solution for soil improvement. The use of organic fertilizers can restore soil nutrients and increase agricultural productivity.Conclusions: the implementation of organic fertilizers is an efficient strategy to optimize agricultural performance, and is also a sustainable and environmentally friendly option that contributes to the continuous improvement of soil health and greater stability in crop production.

Soybean Water Monitoring and Water Demand Prediction in Arid Region Based on UAV Multispectral Data

Soil moisture content is a key factor influencing plant growth and agricultural productivity, directly impacting water uptake, nutrient absorption, and stress resistance. This study proposes a rapid, low-cost, non-destructive method for dynamically monitoring soil moisture at depths of 0–200 cm throughout the crop growth period under dryland conditions, with validation in soybean cultivation. During critical soybean growth stages, UAV multispectral data of the canopy were collected, and ground measurements were conducted for three GPS-referenced 50 cm × 50 cm plots to obtain canopy leaf water content, coverage, and soil volumetric moisture at 20 cm intervals. Ten vegetation indices were constructed from multispectral data to explore statistical relationships between vegetation indices, surface soil moisture, canopy leaf water content, and deeper soil moisture. Predictive models were developed and evaluated. Results showed that the NDVI-based nonlinear regression model achieved the best performance for leaf water content (R2 = 0.725), and a significant correlation was found between canopy leaf water content and 0–20 cm soil moisture (R2 = 0.705), enabling predictions of deeper soil moisture. Surface soil models accurately estimated 0–200 cm soil moisture distribution (R2 = 0.9995). Daily water dynamics simulations provided robust support for precision irrigation management. This study demonstrates that UAV multispectral remote sensing combined with ground sampling is a valuable tool for soybean water management, supporting precision agriculture and sustainable water resource utilization.

Current state and ecological features of Hippophae rhamnoides L. cenopopulations in Northern Kazakhstan

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) is an important resource for agriculture, landscaping, and medicinedue to its beneficial properties, high winter hardiness, and adaptability to various soil conditions. These factorsmake the study of the current state and ecological-cenotic characteristics of sea buckthorn populations inNorthern Kazakhstan particularly relevant. The research conducted in the North Kazakhstan and Kostanai regionscovers eight key populations of H. rhamnoides and their plant communities. The study found that seabuckthorn thrives and can be successfully used for reclamation in technogenically disturbed areas with moderatemoisture. Sea buckthorn forms a shrub layer in forests and creates thickets on the edges of birch groves.In flatland landscapes, sea buckthorn dominates plant communities, particularly in dry steppe and meadowconditions, indicating ecological and phytocenotic plasticity. The species composition of the studied communitiesinvolving sea buckthorn depends on the ecological and cenosis conditions of their habitats. The herbaceouslayer is predominantly composed of mesoxerophytic species. The studied sea buckthorn populationsare mainly composed of pre-generative and generative individuals and require further monitoring and research.

Bioprospecting of Selected Trichoderma spp. for Its Plant Growth Promoting and Biocontrol Properties

Bioprospecting for Trichoderma strains from peat soil collected at MARDI Sessang Station, Saratok, Sarawak, revealed promising candidates as plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) and producers of phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3). The study aimed to identify Trichoderma strains with dual functions in biocontrol and plant growth enhancement. A total of seventeen strains were isolated and screened for their biocontrol activity against significant plant pathogens—Ralstonia solanacearum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and also their potential to produce IAA and GA3. Among the isolates, one strain exhibited strong antagonistic activity against R. solanacearum, a pathogen responsible for bacterial wilt, suggesting its potential for biocontrol applications. Additionally, two strains showed significant inhibitory effects against C. gloeosporioides, the causative agent of anthracnose. Four strains demonstrated the ability to produce IAA, an essential auxin for root development and overall plant growth promotion and two strains were identified as GA3 producers, contributing to plant growth by promoting cell elongation and germination. This study highlights the potential of Trichoderma strains from peat soils in Sarawak as valuable resources for sustainable agriculture. The dual functionality of these strains as biocontrol agents and phytohormone producers makes them promising candidates for integrated pest management (IPM) and biofertilizer development. Future research should focus on field trials and further molecular characterization to fully explore the potential of these Trichoderma isolates in enhancing crop productivity.

Cyber ​​Extension: Information Technology and Agricultural Development

Cyber ​​extension is an innovative approach in agricultural counseling that utilizes information and communication technology (ICT) to increase access and dissemination of information to farmers. With the development of digital technology, cyber extension allows farmers to get the latest information about agricultural practices, resource management, and market trends quickly and efficiently. This article discusses the role of cyber extension in agricultural development, including benefits such as improving farmers' skills, community empowerment, and efficiency in the counseling process. In addition, the challenges faced in implementation include accessibility of technology and digital literacy. By identifying opportunities for integrating new technology, cyber extension is expected to contribute to increasing the productivity and sustainability of the agricultural sector in the future.

Impacts of planting structure adjustment on water saving in the Shiyang River Basin of Arid Region

Planting structure adjustment (PSA) affects agricultural water saving, and is an essential part of water-saving agricultural construction. This study introduced virtual water theory and innovatively constructed a model to assess the water-saving effects of PSA in Shiyang River Basin over the past 38 years, explore the relationship between planting structure and water saving, and clarify the most water-saving planting structure. The results showed that the sown area of economic crops consistently increased as food crop areas decreased in the four counties (districts) from 1980 to 2017. Being considered a “big water consumer”, wheat has lost its dominant position. The water requirements of major crops in the four counties and districts showed an increasing trend. The total area proportion of vegetables, wheat, corn, and oil-bearing crops (Abbreviated as TPVWCO) directly determined the water-saving amount. The lower the TPVWCO, the better the water-saving effect. Taking 1980 as the reference year, the most water-saving years in Gulang, Liangzhou, Yongchang, and Minqin were 2007, 1981, 2008, and 2005, respectively. Taking 2007 as the reference year, there were no water-saving years available after that due to the higher TPVWCO. Taking into account food security, ecological and economic benefits, it was recommended to control the TPVWCO at 40% in the Shiyang River Basin in the future. The land vacated should be planted with cotton in Minqin, while the land vacated in the other three counties should be planted with fruits. The research results would provide scientific basis for optimizing the planting structure and managing agricultural water resources in inland river basins in arid regions.

Incentivizing water conservation in agriculture: a case study of the Great Salt Lake watersheds

Abstract Conserving agricultural water resources is crucial for sustainable development, yet, developing effective policies is challenging due to limited site-specific information. We present a framework combining economic models and remote-sensing data to spatially explicitly assess willingness-to-accept payments to irrigators and unit water-saving costs. Applied to three major tributary watersheds of the Great Salt Lake, this framework identifies areas with the highest conservation potential and cost-effectiveness. We find that an annual water conservation goal of 581 million m3, necessary to restore the lake within 30 years, can be met by fallowing irrigated alfalfa fields. With 95% certainty, this goal would be fully achieved with annual payments of US$325 million under site-specific payments or US$376 million under county-level payments, or at least 84% achieved with US$341 million under watershed-level payments. This framework can be applied to explore policy priorities and the economic viability of land-based natural resource protection, informing funding decisions and achieving conservation goals in various contexts.

Soil Health: Concepts, Principles and Road Maps for Management in Regenerative Agriculture

Soil is a crucial nonrenewable resource for agriculture and has a direct impact on food security. However, the decline in crop yield post-Green Revolution suggested soil health deterioration due to soil degradation through harmful chemicals and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, restoring the health of the land and the environment is very important. In the last ten years, there has been a large increase in interest in soil health around the world. Many government, nongovernmental, and private sector groups are working on developing monitoring and assessment techniques. The concept of soil health is defined as the continuous capacity of soil to function as a vital ecosystem service supporting plants, animals, and humans. Biofertilizers, vermicompost, farmyard and green manure, and biopesticides are natural fertilizers that can be used instead of chemical fertilizers. This can help crops grow well while also being good for the land and climate. This brief study focused on soil health indicators such as soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and the urgent need for soil health restoration through the adoption of regenerative agriculture management practices.