Context Of Agriculture Research Articles

Acceptance of AgriVoltaics - A Multi-Stakeholder Survey for a German AgriVoltaic System in Fruit Farming

Public perception of Agri-PV cannot be reliably assessed at this time, in part because the agricultural context and appearance of each Agri-PV system varies widely. Therefore, within the research project "Agri-PV Fruit Growing", a social impact analysis of Agri-PV in a fruit growing region (predominantly apple growing) was carried out in May 2021 and interviews with local social representatives with public functions (multi-stakeholder approach) were conducted. The goal of the survey, which took place in parallel to the implementation of a pilot Agri-PV plant, was to get detailed insights to acceptance factors among the relevant stakeholder groups. As well, the implications regarding communication and informal participation in future Agri-PV plants will be elaborated.

Artificial intelligence applied in water optimization in agricultural crops (OTIMAGRI)

This study introduces an innovative optimization system for agriculture, utilizing the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. This system focuses on maximizing net revenue in agricultural contexts while simultaneously minimizing the consumption of natural resources and inputs, with particular attention to the efficient use of water. A distinctive feature of the system is its versatility and accessibility, being designed for easy implementation on smartphones, which broadens its reach to a variety of users, from small to large-scale farmers. The efficiency and speed in obtaining results are key aspects of this system, facilitating a more agile and informed decision-making process in the agricultural sector. The PSO algorithm, which forms the basis of the system, effectively identifies the optimal balance between input consumption and crop productivity. This study validated the system through comparisons with available literature data, focusing on specific crops such as iceberg lettuce and melon. The results not only showed consistency with existing data but in some cases, exceeded expectations. In conclusion, this system represents a significant contribution to modern agriculture, offering a reliable and easily accessible tool for economic decision-making. The ability to quickly adapt to different types of inputs, compatibility with mobile devices, and the ease of incorporating new production functions, regardless of complexity or the number of inputs, highlight the flexibility and practical relevance of this technological innovation.

Identifying the Changes in Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being under Agricultural Transformation Contexts in Peri-Urban Areas: A Case Study of the Xi’an Metropolitan Zone, China

Agricultural transition and specialization in PUAs have reshaped the ecological landscape, economic structure, and rural cultural values worldwide. There is a gap in how to analyze the linkages of ecosystem services (ES) and human well-being (HWB) and how to clearly identify the differences on the dimension (primary concerns) of HWB from a comprehensive perspective. Thus, we selected three typical agricultural transformation modes in the Xi’an metropolitan zone in China, employing social surveys, field mapping, ecosystem service assessment methods, and qualitative analysis methods, and proposed an analytical framework from a comprehensive perspective of “ecological-social-cultural” contexts to examine the changes and mechanism between ES and HWB. The results indicated the following: (1) Agricultural transition has driven the changes not only in ecological landscape, agricultural structure planting and practice modes, and rural economic structure, but also the shift in rural social relationships and cultural values together restructured rural society during agricultural specialization. (2) Due to triggering by the agricultural transition and specialization, great changes occurred in “ecological-social-cultural” contexts in PUAs, the changes of HWB not only reflected in its degree (level), but more importantly, in its dimension (primary concerns). (3) With agricultural transition and specialization, the total value of ES increased, while the HWB rose in three transition modes. (4) The analytical frameworks proposed in the study are suitable to analyze the mechanisms of ES and HWB, and helpful to address the issues on the relation of ES to HWB inevitably being combined with the nature–land system. The approach proposed in the study on distinguishing the differences among the dimensions of well-being based on grounded theory could clearly identify the differences among different “ecological- social-cultural” contexts.

AgroTech advancing agriculture through innovative design and development of solar-powered seed sowing, fertilizer dispensing, precision water sprinkling, and chemical fertilizer sprinkling machine

This research explores the intersection of technology and agriculture, focusing on the design and development of solar-powered machines that are set to revolutionize farming. The study examines the use of solar energy in critical agricultural processes like seed sowing, fertilizer dispensing, precision water sprinkling, and chemical fertilizer application. The goal is to improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable farming practices. To achieve this goal, the research evaluates the technical intricacies of solar-powered machinery and their reliability and adaptability across diverse agricultural contexts. The financial viability and potential advantages for farmers are also analyzed through a detailed cost-benefit analysis. The importance of solar- powered AgroTech in mitigating carbon footprints, promoting eco-friendly farming practices, and contributing to overall environmental sustainability is emphasized. In addition, the study highlights the precision capabilities of these machines and their role in optimizing seed placement, judicious fertilizer application, and efficient water management. By providing a comprehensive understanding of how solar-powered AgroTech can catalyse sustainable agriculture, this research offers valuable insights for farmers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders navigating the evolving landscape of modern farming.

Resource Efficiency and Environmental Impact Assessment Method for Small-Scale Producers: A Case Study of Pond and In-Pond Raceway System Production for Growing Nile Tilapia

The purpose of this study was to employ Resource Value Mapping (REVAM) and carbon footprint assessments to evaluate the resource efficiency and environmental impact of the aquaculture sector in Thailand. Focusing on tilapia production, a case study that compares the innovative In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS) with the traditional pond system was conducted to serve as a guideline for small-scale producers toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The assessment applied lean classification to the agriculture context and used both machine and non-machine resources. Moreover, the Muda Index (MI) and the concurrent assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the proposed map were introduced to identify resource efficiencies and environmental impacts across activities, respectively. The analysis highlighted resources with the highest MI values, waste proportions, and emissions requiring improvement. This study shows that addressing specific resources in REVAM can enhance resource management, facilitate control over variable costs, and ensure sustainability in both of these dimensions. Finally, a feasibility analysis was incorporated to weigh investment between in-pond and IPRS systems, in addition to resource use efficiency and environmental impact dimensions, creating an opportunity to meet the increasing demands in the international market.

Finding climate smart agriculture in civil-society initiatives

International civil society and non-government organisations (NGOs) play a role in implementing agricultural projects, which contribute to the mitigation, adaptation, and food security dimensions of climate-smart agriculture (CSA). Despite the growth of CSA, it remains unclear how CSA is designed, conceptualised, and embedded into agricultural development projects led and implemented by NGOs, creating a lack of clarity as to the direction of future of agricultural development interventions. This paper examines the extent to which development programmes from the NGO sector actively incorporate CSA principles to benefit smallholder farmers under the major pillars of CSA. Drawing from six projects’ documentation since 2009, we conducted a thematic analysis to reveal the alignment of projects with the pillars of CSA and discuss the extent to which CSA allows for localised adaptability given the diverse agricultural contexts in which civil society and NGOs work. We find that despite a lack of clarity in CSA definition and focus, the agricultural practices in the six projects make heterogenous contributions to the adoption of CSA principles. We illustrate the diversity of ways in which CSA is ‘done’ by a global NGO across six areas: greening and forests, practices and knowledge exchange, markets, policy and institutions, nutrition, carbon and climate, and gender. We discuss the need for balance in contextual adaptability across the three pillars of CSA with explicit consideration of trade-offs to reduce unintended outcomes from CSA initiatives. We conclude with reflections on the role of civil society and NGOs as boundary agents in the agricultural development sector.

A protocol to assess the welfare of dairy ewes: From science to the field

There is growing societal demand for improved animal welfare. The stakeholders in the industry are also increasingly interested in information and expertise in this area. There is a scientific consensus that an objective assessment should be the foundation for discussions and actions in favour of better animal welfare. However, only a few protocols exist and most of them have been developed for meat-producing sheep and/or are more adapted for an extensive farming context and/or do not include all the five freedoms of animal welfare. Therefore, references are still scarce especially in the field of dairy ewe welfare. This makes the transition from science to practice difficult. The present study was carried out bearing two objectives in mind: (1) to develop a feasible protocol (EBBEL – Evaluation du Bien-être des Brebis en Elevage Laitier / Assessment of sheep welfare in dairy farms) to assess the welfare of dairy ewes and (2) to implement the protocol on a large scale (n = 81 dairy ewe farms under semi-intensive system) in the Roquefort region of France. The animals and the farms were examined in terms of satisfaction of 26 welfare indicators. The results were very informative about the points of excellence but also about those that need to be improved. The database that we developed can serve the scientific community when comparing different production contexts. Beyond the technical results, stakeholder participation in the design process was clearly positive for acceptance of the protocol in the field.

Field Insights into the Genetic Symphony: Decoding Gene Dynamics for Enhanced Sorghum Yield (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench)

In this investigation using line × tester analysis, fifteen parents (3 Cytoplasmic Male Sterility females and 12 males) and 36 hybrids, including the standard check CSH-25, underwent evaluation in a randomized block design with three replications. Notably, significant general combining ability variances for 1000-seed weight and highly significant specific combining ability variances for all traits were observed. The research highlights the prevalence of additive genetic variance in 1000-seed weight and the combined influence of additive and nonadditive gene effects in panicle length ratio. Recognized good general combiners, such as SR 2991 , SR 2950 , SR 2872, SR 2984 and 691A, provide valuable insights for breeding strategies. Subsequent evaluations of promising hybrids, particularly 691 A × SR 2991, 691 A × SR 2872 and 691 A × SR 2950 hold potential for optimizing grain yield, panicle length, and dwarfness. These findings provide nuanced insights for future Sorghum breeding programs, enhancing understanding of gene dynamics for improved productivity and emphasizing the pivotal role of hybrid sorghum in contemporary agricultural contexts.

Agriculture against the wall: barriers and opportunities for agroecological transitions in California’s industrial agricultural landscapes

ABSTRACT Agroecology emphasizes a shift from low diversity, high chemical input farming to more biodiverse agroecosystems cultivated in conjunction with natural ecosystem processes and embedded in socially just relationships. Yet achieving such agroecological transitions presents enormous challenges in industrial agricultural landscapes dominated by consolidation and overproduction. We examine both the challenges and the opportunities for agroecological transition in one particular industrial agricultural context: the fumigant-dependent strawberry production of California’s Central Coast. We do so by exploring adoption of Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD), an agroecological alternative to fumigation which has shown considerable promise but has been historically underutilized. Building on previously identified “domains of agroecological transformation,” we characterize the enabling and disabling conditions for agroecological transitions in California’s agricultural landscape. Through semi-structured interviews with farmers, extensionists, and industry stakeholders we uncover significant regime lock-ins: most prominently insecure land tenure and unequal access to land, unequal systems of exchange, and a culture that favors silver bullet narratives and top-down knowledge transfer; as well as drivers of change. The case of ASD, we conclude, reveals that technology-led agroecological transitions will have difficulty succeeding unless they are embedded in broader efforts to transform the social and political relationships of industrial agriculture.

Sustainable Livestock Farming in the European Union: A Study on Beef Farms in NUTS 2 Regions

Despite the significant role of beef in the European agri-food industry, its intensification challenges environmental sustainability, a focus of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027. Balancing industry importance with sustainability is crucial. This study aims to address sustainability issues in livestock production by establishing a correlation between sustainability levels and regional specificities at the NUTS 2 level. The study aims to categorize more sustainable models, with a particular focus on cattle farming activities that exert minimal environmental pressure on renewable resources. The goal is to identify eco-friendly practices that align the best with environmental conservation efforts in agricultural settings within European Union countries. To achieve this, a survey was conducted, utilizing principal component analysis, followed by cluster and georeferenced analyses of structural and socio-economic data from the beef sector. This encompassed factors such as land use, physical farm dimensions, socio-economic and management characteristics, and environmental indicators. Sixteen indicators were extracted and analyzed from EUROSTAT datasets, referencing NUTS 2 regions, and the comprehensive analysis identified five clusters as distinct farm management models, distributed variably across the territory. The results demonstrate that the best-performing models exhibit significant differences in terms of farming intensiveness, geographical distribution, and economic profitability, underscoring a certain polarization between economic and environmental sustainability. This study innovatively guides EU sustainable agriculture initiatives by categorizing sustainability levels in diverse cattle farming contexts, considering regional specificity, and emphasizing environmental impact reduction. The results can inform policy decisions, guide financial incentives, and promote eco-friendly practices, shaping a more targeted and resilient European agricultural policy.

Enhanced biodegradable polyester film degradation in soil by sequential cooperation of yeast-derived esterase and microbial community.

The degradation of biodegradable plastics poses a significant environmental challenge and requires effective solutions. In this study, an esterase derived from a phyllosphere yeast Pseudozyma antarctica (PaE) enhanced the degradation and mineralization of poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) film in soil. PaE was found to substitute for esterases from initial degraders and activate sequential esterase production from soil microbes. The PBSA film pretreated with PaE (PBSA-E) rapidly diminished and was mineralized in soil until day 55 with high CO2 production. Soil with PBSA-E maintained higher esterase activities with enhancement of microbial abundance, whereas soil with inactivated PaE-treated PBSA film (PBSA-inact E) showed gradual degradation and time-lagged esterase activity increases. The fungal genera Arthrobotrys and Tetracladium, as possible contributors to PBSA-film degradation, increased in abundance in soil with PBSA-inact E but were less abundant in soil with PBSA-E. The dominance of the fungal genus Fusarium and the bacterial genera Arthrobacter and Azotobacter in soil with PBSA-E further supported PBSA degradation. Our study highlights the potential of PaE in addressing concerns associated with biodegradable plastic persistence in agricultural and environmental contexts.

Markets as drivers of selection for highly virulent poultry pathogens

Theoretical models have successfully predicted the evolution of poultry pathogen virulence in industrialized farm contexts of broiler chicken populations. Whether there are ecological factors specific to more traditional rural farming that affect virulence is an open question. Within non-industrialized farming networks, live bird markets are known to be hotspots of transmission, but whether they could shift selection pressures on the evolution of poultry pathogen virulence has not been addressed. Here, we revisit predictions for the evolution of virulence for viral poultry pathogens, such as Newcastle’s disease virus, Marek’s disease virus, and influenza virus, H5N1, using a compartmental model that represents transmission in rural markets. We show that both the higher turnover rate and higher environmental persistence in markets relative to farms could select for higher optimal virulence strategies. In contrast to theoretical results modeling industrialized poultry farms, we find that cleaning could also select for decreased virulence in the live poultry market setting. Additionally, we predict that more virulent strategies selected in markets could circulate solely within poultry located in markets. Thus, we recommend the close monitoring of markets not only as hotspots of transmission, but as potential sources of more virulent strains of poultry pathogens.

Conceptual Model of Information Elements of Agriculture and Agripreneurship

This study examines the relevant and critical agricultural-related information available on the official government web portals of thirteen (13) agencies operating under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). A structured review of the agricultural-related content was conducted to identify information elements that hold significant value for aspiring agropreneurs. The primary goal of this study is to develop a model of an online platform consolidating essential agricultural information from various government agencies’ web portals. The model of information elements undergoes the validation process that comes from experts and potential agropreneurs. The method of research employs a qualitative research approach and adopts the interpretive research paradigm to analyze the collected data. More specifically, it adopts a hermeneutic approach to the analysis process. The focal point of this research is presenting the state-of-the-art of critical and relevant agricultural and agripreneurship information elements, which eleven (11) information elements of agricultural-related and agripreneurship form a cornerstone of this endeavor. It confines its scope to the official web portals of government departments and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The ultimate contribution of this research lies in its ability to provide an intricate understanding within the realm of information management context of agriculture and agripreneurship that would cater to the potential agropreneurs or youths lacking prior agricultural knowledge and equipping them with essential information to embark on their journey.

Occupational Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders among Workers in Dairy Diversification.

In a changing European agricultural context, diversification of dairy farms is gaining attention. This study seeks to (1) assess musculoskeletal pain prevalence associated with tasks such as butter, yogurt, and cheese production; and (2) analyze associated risks. Observing 31, mostly female, workers, we utilized the ERGOROM questionnaire, a methodology adapted from the Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, and Key Indicator Method forms. Findings revealed that tasks like load carrying (42% of workers), manual work (17%), and awkward postures (14%) resulted in musculoskeletal pain, predominantly in the lower back (65%), neck (39%), and dominant upper limb areas (shoulder: 61%, elbow: 26%, and wrist: 65%). While psychosocial risks remained low, concerns arose from workload, hygiene standards, and resource unpredictability. As dairy farming evolves from artisanal to semi-industrial, our study emphasizes the importance of ergonomic adaptations to protect farmers' health and prevent musculoskeletal disorders during diversification.

A modelled quantification of reduced nitrogen fertiliser requirement and associated trade-offs from inclusion of legumes and fallows in wheat-based crop sequences

ContextGlobally there is a need to increase crop production and maintain soil fertility while reducing environmental impact. Intensive wheat production is dependent on synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilisers which represent ∼38% of total on-farm greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and contribute to N pollution. There are four major sources of N available for crop production 1) N mineralised from native soil organic matter (SOM) 2) N derived from biological fixation by legume-associated rhizobial bacteria 3) synthetic N fertiliser 4) N-rich manures, composts, biosolids and other organic wastes. Farmers can emphasise use of these different sources through their management. ObjectivesIn this study we use crop simulation to predict the minimum amount of N fertiliser required for semi-arid wheat crops to achieve economic yield (EY – defined as 80% of water limited potential yield, PYw) when grown in long-term (1991–2020) sequences and at different rotational intensities with either; grain legumes (GL, source 2), legume winter cover crops (CC, source 2) and winter fallow (WF, source 1) compared to continuous wheat (CW, source 3). Results and conclusionsLegume and fallow phases at 25–67% intensity (e.g. one out of four to two out of three crops) reduced the long-term mean fertiliser N application required to achieve EY. For every % area increase of GL and CC, the mean N applied to achieve EY was reduced by 1.3 kg N kg ha-1 (0.43–1.9 N kg ha-1). For every % area increase of WF the mean N applied to achieve EY was reduced by 1.1 kg N kg ha-1 (0.4–1.6 N kg ha-1). Global warming potential emissions from soil (CO2 and N2O) increased compared to CW when legume intensity increased in high rainfall environments with high SOM but decreased at increasing intensity in low rainfall environments with low SOM. Food energy production (kJ ha-1yr-1) was reduced relative to CW by inclusion of CC and WF and to a lesser extent GL in sequences due to reduced total grain production over the study period. However, protein yield increased as GL intensity increased relative to CW. The most profitable sequences over a 30-year period were CW, or GL at different intensities depending on environment. ImplicationsDiversification of wheat-based cropping systems with legumes reduces N fertiliser requirement, but depending on farming system context this benefit can trade off against production, profitability and environmental outcomes. Evaluation and exploitation of appropriate farming system contexts to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes is required to allow farmers and policy makers to make informed decisions on how to increase food production whilst minimising environmental impacts.

How to bridge the last mile in agro-climate service adoption? The importance of farmers’ needs, attitudes and interpersonal relations in understanding impact pathways

AbstractClimate services can support multiple Sustainable Development Goals. However, in agricultural contexts, the “last-mile” delivery of agro-climate services (ACS) struggles with numerous barriers that prevent smallholder farmers from receiving crucial information. We sought to assess the processes by which farmers adopt ACS in order to support the scaling of ACS. We developed a procedure to serve as a rapid test to provide an overview of impact pathway relations in ACS adoption. We generated ACS adoption pathways through focus group discussions, quantified the overall adoption rate and tested relationships between factors and their causal influence on adoption. To showcase our method, we used the case study of CARE in Vietnam (CVN), a non-governmental organization attempting to improve the provision of ACS to smallholder farmers since 2015. In CVN’s projects, ACS were co-generated and subsequently delivered to farmers through structured meetings or on an ad-hoc basis in village meetings. We found that farmers who participated in structured groups were very likely to demand, access, read, discuss, understand, positively perceive and adopt ACS and recommend them to peers. About half of the farmers in non-structured groups continued to have difficulties understanding ACS. Nevertheless, these farmers still had a positive attitude toward ACS. While different impact pathways were attributed to the two groups, they still shared similar adoption rates (98%). The results suggest that adoption of ACS at a critical mass might be sufficient to trigger systemic changes within social groups and interactions between its members. Employing a pathway approach can be beneficial for designing and evaluating development interventions.

Smallholder aquaculture diversifies livelihoods and diets thus improving food security status: evidence from northern Zambia

BackgroundMuch has been made of the potential for aquaculture to improve rural livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Africa, though little evidence exists to back such claims. This study, conducted in northern Zambia, assessed the benefits of adopting aquaculture by comparing a sample of households with (n = 177) and without fishponds (n = 174).ResultsOn-farm food production was assessed by summing all crop and livestock activities and calculating a production diversity score (PDS) of key food groups. Aquaculture households had greater crop diversification and were more associated with key nutritious foods grown on the farm, possibly due to additional water irrigation capabilities. A greater diversity of cultivated crops led to better household dietary diversity scores (HDDS). We further assessed the frequency of consumption of 53 food items (including 30 fish species) over a period of 4 weeks via a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Using the Simpson’s Index, aquaculture households had greater diversity and evenness in the distribution of foods and fish species consumed, particularly for foods grown on the farm. Using livelihood and dietary factors in a multilevel probit regression on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), we found that adopting aquaculture gave households almost two times more likelihood of improving their food security status. Households could further improve their food security outcomes by growing and consuming certain vegetables, especially those that could be integrated along pond dykes.ConclusionsThe study suggests three clear pathways to food security. (1) Increasing wealth and income from the sale of fish and integrated vegetables and/or crops, which can be used to purchase a diversity of foods. (2) Increasing food and nutrition security via the direct consumption of fish and vegetables grown on the farm. (3) Improving irrigation capabilities in integrated aquaculture–agriculture systems that has direct impact on pathways 1 and 2. Aquaculture should be promoted in the region for its crop diversification and food security benefits, so long as it fits the local farming system and livelihood context. Moving away from productivist approaches to nutrition-sensitive aquaculture widens the scope of uncovering the many benefits of pond farming in smallholder systems.

Bovine mammary epithelial cells can grow and express milk protein synthesis genes at reduced fetal bovine serum concentration.

Milk proteins produced by lactating cells isolated from bovine mammary tissue can offer a sustainable solution to the high protein demand of a global growing population. Serum is commonly added to culture systems to provide compounds necessary for optimal growth and function of the cells. However, in a cellular agricultural context, its usage is desired to be decreased. This study aims at examining the minimum level of fetal bovine serum (FBS) required for the growth and functionality of bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs). The cells were isolated from dairy cows in early and mid-lactation and cultured in reduced concentrations of FBS (10%, 5%, 1.25%, and 0%). Real-time cell analysis showed a significant effect of lactation stage on growth rate and 5% FBS resulted in similar growth rate as 10% while 0% resulted in the lowest. The effect of reducing FBS on cell functionality was examined by studying the expressions of selected marker genes involved in milk protein and fat synthesis, following differentiation. The gene expressions were not affected by the level of FBS. A reduction of FBS in the culture system of MEC, at least down to 5%, does not assert any negative effect on the growth and expression levels of studied genes. As the first attempt in developing an in-vitro model for milk component production using MEC, our results demonstrate the potential of MEC to endure FBS-reduced conditions.

Comparative analysis of phonetic and phonological features in english and russian agricultural terminology

This article presents a comparative analysis of phonetic and phonological features in English and Russian agricultural terminology. The study delves into the distinctive sound characteristics of these languages within the context of agriculture, shedding light on how these features impact translation and communication in this domain. By examining the phonetic nuances and phonological patterns specific to each language, this research provides insights into the challenges and solutions encountered in the translation of agricultural terms between English and Russian. Additionally, the paper explores the influence of cultural differences on the sound structure of agricultural terminology and underscores the importance of accurate and culturally sensitive language adaptation in the field of agriculture. This comparative analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the linguistic aspects of agricultural communication and translation, offering valuable guidance for linguists, translators, and agricultural specialists.

Beyond Economic Allocation: Investigating Alternative Coproduct Treatment Methods in Cotton Life Cycle Assessments

Highlights The multifunctionality of cotton cultivation is analyzed using different coproduct treatment methods. Changes in life cycle impacts with different coproduct treatments are higher than uncertainty in global data. Cereal unit and biophysical allocation are shown to be robust alternatives to economic allocation. Abstract. Cotton lint represents the largest natural textile fiber production globally, and as organizations strive to reduce their upstream environmental impacts, robust cotton life cycle assessment (LCA) data has never been more important. A key characteristic of cotton is that during its cultivation, it produces an important coproduct – cottonseed, and thus the impacts of the cultivation are partitioned between the cotton lint and cottonseed. How the environmental impacts of cotton production are split between the products is critical for measuring the environmental impacts. This study evaluates the effect of different coproduct treatment approaches on the life cycle impacts of cotton and presents the issues and limitations of these approaches. Approaches include partitioning (mass, economic, biophysical, and cereal units) and substitution, sometimes referred to as system expansion. Results show that when accounting for uncertainty in allocation and inventory, the global warming impact of global average cotton lint ranges between -0.01 and 4.24 CO2/kg of lint at the 95% confidence interval. Comparing the coproduct treatment approaches for cotton lint, a mass partitioning perspective tends to yield the lowest impacts, whereas economic partitioning along with substitution can yield larger impacts in other categories. The more recent cereal unit and biophysical allocation methods are identified as robust alternatives to economic allocation, overcoming its common issues and limitations. This study helps organizations interested in cotton understand the underpinnings of each approach and how coproduct treatment plays a role in LCA results. It also serves as a foundational work on coproduct treatment in agricultural contexts. Keywords: Allocation, Coproduct treatment, Cotton lint, Cotton sustainability, LCA.