Journal Description
Agriculture
Agriculture
is an international, scientific peer-reviewed open access journal published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, RePEc, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Agronomy) / CiteScore - Q1 (Plant Science)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.4 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journals for Agriculture include: Poultry, Grasses and Crops.
Impact Factor:
3.6 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.6 (2022)
Latest Articles
Response of Biostimulants Based on Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi of the Glomeraceae on Maize Yield in a Farming Environment
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060906 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the face of persistent soil degradation in Benin caused by poor agricultural practices, including excessive use of chemical fertilizers, it is urgent to find solutions that take into account the microorganisms of interest. This study aimed to assess the effect of combining
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In the face of persistent soil degradation in Benin caused by poor agricultural practices, including excessive use of chemical fertilizers, it is urgent to find solutions that take into account the microorganisms of interest. This study aimed to assess the effect of combining three strains of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on maize production in northern Benin. The study involved 34 growers in Ouénou, Bagou and Kokey. The experimental setup consisted of three elementary plots with three treatments. Growth parameters were measured every 15 days, from the 15th to the 60th day after sowing, on ten plants per plot. Plant nutritional status, grain yield and mycorrhization were measured. The results showed that biostimulant + 50% NPK_Urea (N = nitrogen, P = phosphorus and K = potassium) had similar positive effects on growth parameters to those induced by the application of 100% NPK_Urea. Gains of 30.25% to 36.35% were recorded in plant height at Kokey. On the other hand, biostimulant+ 50% NPK_Urea induced a better phosphorus uptake of 21.08% to 27.77%. In addition, the grain yield of mycorrhizal plants was 8.37% higher than that of plants receiving 100% NPK_Urea at Ouénou. These results show that this technology could be integrated into the agricultural system to promote sustainable maize growing in Benin.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Rhizosphere Microbial Activity—Series II)
Open AccessArticle
Can Migrant Workers Returning Home for Entrepreneurship Increase Agricultural Labor Productivity: Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China
by
Lulin Shen and Fang Wang
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060905 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
One of the effective ways to crack the “Three Rural Issues” and promote rural revitalization is to improve agricultural labor productivity (ALP). However, at this stage, improving China’s ALP is still facing many obstacles and bottlenecks. Promoting migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship
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One of the effective ways to crack the “Three Rural Issues” and promote rural revitalization is to improve agricultural labor productivity (ALP). However, at this stage, improving China’s ALP is still facing many obstacles and bottlenecks. Promoting migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship is an important breakthrough point for solving this problem. This paper regards the pilot policy of migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship as a quasi-natural experiment and empirically investigates the influence of migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship on ALP and explores its potential mechanism and heterogeneity using county area panel data from 2011–2019. It found the following: Firstly, the policy of migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship significantly increases ALP. Secondly, migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship indirectly leads to a rise in ALP through the promotion of agricultural mechanization production. Thirdly, the heterogeneity test demonstrates that migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship purposes have a significant influence in enhancing ALP in the eastern areas, plains areas and non-agricultural strong areas. The findings of this paper not only provide an important real-world basis for the government to further support migrant workers returning home for entrepreneurship but also provide useful policy insights for the modernization and development of agriculture and rural areas.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
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Open AccessArticle
Unveiling a New Perspective on Cadmium-Induced Hormesis in Soil Enzyme Activity: The Relative Importance of Enzymatic Reaction Kinetics and Microbial Communities
by
Junyang Wu, Zhongwei Wu, Evgenios Agathokleous, Yongli Zhu, Diwu Fan and Jiangang Han
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060904 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
Hormesis in soil enzymes is well-established, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this novel study, we investigated the effects of low-dose Cd exposure (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3, and 30 mg·kg−1) in farmland soil within a typical constructed wetland environment. We
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Hormesis in soil enzymes is well-established, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this novel study, we investigated the effects of low-dose Cd exposure (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3, and 30 mg·kg−1) in farmland soil within a typical constructed wetland environment. We assessed the activities of four soil enzymes (urease (URE), denitrification enzyme (DEA), dehydrogenase (DHA), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) at varying exposure durations (0 h, 24 h, and 48 h), evaluating hormetic characteristics across these time intervals. Additionally, we determined kinetic parameters, specifically the Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum reaction velocity (Vmax), for these enzymes while examining potential alterations in microbial community structure. Our findings revealed hormesis in all four soil enzymes at 24 h of exposure, with varying stimulus width and maximum hormesis rates. Interestingly, heavy metals did not significantly influence the diversity of soil microbial communities, but they did inhibit the ability of soil microbial communities to secrete extracellular enzymes. This resulted in a reduction in the soil enzyme pool and a consequential shift in overall soil enzyme activities. The conclusion of this study is that low-dose Cd primarily reduced extracellular enzyme secretion by soil microorganisms, leading to a reduction in the size of the soil enzyme pool and thereby inducing hormesis in soil enzyme activities.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Agricultural Soils to Human Health: Exposure Sources, Intake Pathways, and Accumulation of Heavy Metals)
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Open AccessArticle
High-Precision Peach Fruit Segmentation under Adverse Conditions Using Swin Transformer
by
Dasom Seo, Seul Ki Lee, Jin Gook Kim and Il-Seok Oh
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060903 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the realm of agricultural automation, the efficient management of tasks like yield estimation, harvesting, and monitoring is crucial. While fruits are typically detected using bounding boxes, pixel-level segmentation is essential for extracting detailed information such as color, maturity, and shape. Furthermore, while
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In the realm of agricultural automation, the efficient management of tasks like yield estimation, harvesting, and monitoring is crucial. While fruits are typically detected using bounding boxes, pixel-level segmentation is essential for extracting detailed information such as color, maturity, and shape. Furthermore, while previous studies have typically focused on controlled environments and scenes, achieving robust performance in real orchard conditions is also imperative. To prioritize these aspects, we propose the following two considerations: first, a novel peach image dataset designed for rough orchard environments, focusing on pixel-level segmentation for detailed insights; and second, utilizing a transformer-based instance segmentation model, specifically the Swin Transformer as a backbone of Mask R-CNN. We achieve superior results compared to CNN-based models, reaching 60.2 AP on the proposed peach image dataset. The proposed transformer-based approach specially excels in detecting small or obscured peaches, making it highly suitable for practical field applications. The proposed model achieved 40.4 AP for small objects, nearly doubling that of CNN-based models. This advancement significantly enhances automated agricultural systems, especially in yield estimation, harvesting, and crop monitoring.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Applications of Optical Sensors and Machine Learning in Agricultural Monitoring—2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Research and Experiment on Cruise Control of a Self-Propelled Electric Sprayer Chassis
by
Lingxi Zhou, Chenwei Hu, Yuxiang Chen, Peijie Guo, Liwei Zhang, Jinyi Liu and Yu Chen
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060902 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
In order to address the issues of poor stability in vehicle speed and deteriorated spraying quality caused by changes in road slope and the decrease in overall mass due to liquid spraying, this study focuses on analyzing the structure and longitudinal dynamic characteristics
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In order to address the issues of poor stability in vehicle speed and deteriorated spraying quality caused by changes in road slope and the decrease in overall mass due to liquid spraying, this study focuses on analyzing the structure and longitudinal dynamic characteristics of a 4WID high ground clearance self-propelled electric sprayer. By utilizing MATLAB/Simulink software, three subsystems, namely, the inverse longitudinal dynamics model, torque distribution model, and motor model, are established. The model takes into account the effects of longitudinal driving resistance, slope, and vehicle roll angle on the distribution of loads among the four wheels during slope driving. A seven-degrees-of-freedom dynamic model is developed. A hierarchical control structure is designed, incorporating an upper-level PID controller and a lower-level fuzzy PID controller, to control the overall system. The control algorithms are tailored to the specific characteristics of the sprayer’s operation, and simulation experiments are conducted under the corresponding operating conditions. Building upon this, a sensor-equipped experimental platform is set up in the self-propelled sprayer manufactured by the team in the preliminary stage. Real vehicle tests are conducted in two scenarios: transition transportation and field operations, with the evaluation of the overall vehicle speed serving as the performance metric to validate the correctness of the model and the control theory.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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Open AccessCorrection
Correction: El-Harairy et al. Aphid-Ant Relationships: The Role of Cuticular Hydrocarbons and Different Chemical Stimuli in Triggering Mutualistic Behavior. Agriculture 2024, 14, 529
by
Amged El-Harairy, Ahmed El-Harairy and Alaa Mahfouz
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060901 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the original publication [...]
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds)
Open AccessReview
Digital Technology Increases the Sustainability of Cross-Border Agro-Food Supply Chains: A Review
by
Gaofeng Wang, Shuai Li, Yang Yi, Yingying Wang and Changhoon Shin
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060900 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
The increasing prominence of climate change, geopolitical crises, and global economic slowdown highlights the challenges and structural deficiencies of traditional cross-border agro-food supply chains. As a result, there has been a growing consensus on the need to leverage digital technology to rebuild and
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The increasing prominence of climate change, geopolitical crises, and global economic slowdown highlights the challenges and structural deficiencies of traditional cross-border agro-food supply chains. As a result, there has been a growing consensus on the need to leverage digital technology to rebuild and innovate a safe, stable, and sustainable global food system. This study assessed the knowledge progress and development trends in the sustainable development of cross-border agro-food supply chains enabled by digital technology. A total of 352 authoritative papers from the core Web of Science database were selected for analysis. The Citespace tool was utilized to visually examine research elements. The findings reveal that research outcomes in this territory experienced a significant period of rapid growth, particularly after 2020. Sustainability and IEEE Access are the journals with the highest and second-highest number of publications. China and the France National Institute are the countries and research institutions with the largest number of publications in this field. The research hotspots are mainly the application of digital technologies, food safety, and supply chain system model innovation. In the past ten years, the research in this territory has gone through three stages: precise timeliness orientation, intelligent strategic decision-making orientation, and model predictability orientation. We further construct the ‘antecedent–practice–performance’ conceptual framework of the sustainability of the digital technology-enabled cross-border agro-food supply chain. Finally, this paper presents the potential research directions in this territory, focusing on four aspects: research method, research mechanism, research topic, and research frontier.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Markets and Agrifood Supply Chains)
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Open AccessArticle
Generalized Focal Loss WheatNet (GFLWheatNet): Accurate Application of a Wheat Ear Detection Model in Field Yield Prediction
by
Yujie Guan, Jiaqi Pan, Qingqi Fan, Liangliang Yang, Li Xu and Weikuan Jia
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060899 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
Wheat ear counting is crucial for calculating wheat phenotypic parameters and scientifically managing fields, which is essential for estimating wheat field yield. In wheat fields, detecting wheat ears can be challenging due to factors such as changes in illumination, wheat ear growth posture,
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Wheat ear counting is crucial for calculating wheat phenotypic parameters and scientifically managing fields, which is essential for estimating wheat field yield. In wheat fields, detecting wheat ears can be challenging due to factors such as changes in illumination, wheat ear growth posture, and the appearance color of wheat ears. To improve the accuracy and efficiency of wheat ear detection and meet the demands of intelligent yield estimation, this study proposes an efficient model, Generalized Focal Loss WheatNet (GFLWheatNet), for wheat ear detection. This model precisely counts small, dense, and overlapping wheat ears. Firstly, in the feature extraction stage, we discarded the C4 feature layer of the ResNet50 and added the Convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to this location. This step maintains strong feature extraction capabilities while reducing redundant feature information. Secondly, in the reinforcement layer, we designed a skip connection module to replace the multi-scale feature fusion network, expanding the receptive field to adapt to various scales of wheat ears. Thirdly, leveraging the concept of distribution-guided localization, we constructed a detection head network to address the challenge of low accuracy in detecting dense and overlapping targets. Validation on the publicly available Global Wheat Head Detection dataset (GWHD-2021) demonstrates that GFLWheatNet achieves detection accuracies of 43.3% and 93.7% in terms of mean Average Precision (mAP) and (Intersection over Union (IOU) = 0.5), respectively. Compared to other models, it exhibits strong performance in terms of detection accuracy and efficiency. This model can serve as a reference for intelligent wheat ear counting during wheat yield estimation and provide theoretical insights for the detection of ears in other grain crops.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture)
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Open AccessArticle
Effects of Catch Crops Cultivated for Green Manure on Soil C and N Content and Associated Enzyme Activities
by
Anna Piotrowska-Długosz and Edward Wilczewski
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060898 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
The influence of catch crop (field pea) management and the time of its application [plots with autumn (A.I.) or spring (S.I.) biomass incorporation vs. treatments without catch crop (C) use] on the activity of five soil enzymes associated with C- (CMC-cellulase—CEL, β-glucosidase—βG, invertase—INV)
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The influence of catch crop (field pea) management and the time of its application [plots with autumn (A.I.) or spring (S.I.) biomass incorporation vs. treatments without catch crop (C) use] on the activity of five soil enzymes associated with C- (CMC-cellulase—CEL, β-glucosidase—βG, invertase—INV) and N-cycling (urease—UR, nitrate reductase—NR), the content of mineral N, and the content of microbial biomass C and N (MBC, MBN) were evaluated in a 3-year experiment (2009–2011). Field pea was sown in the first half of August and the biomass was incorporated into the soil in the second half of October in 2008, 2009, and 2010 or left as a mulch during the winter and mixed with the soil in spring. The enzymatic and microbial properties were determined in soil samples collected from spring barley experimental plots four times a year (2009, 2010, and 2011): in March (before sowing of barley), in May (during the tillering phase), in June (during the shooting phase), and in August (after barley harvesting). Neither the catch crop management nor the sampling date had any effect on the content of total organic carbon (CORG) or total nitrogen (Nt). The incorporation of filed pea biomass significantly enhanced the soil mineral N content (up to 30%), as well as the microbial and enzymatic variables, compared to the control soil. The spring use of field pea biomass significantly increased the content of microbial biomass C (2009 and 2011) in contrast to autumn incorporation. On the other hand, the biomass-N and the activity of the studied enzymes did not reveal statistically significant changes (or the results were inconsistent) as regards the time of catch crop biomass incorporation. The assessed variables (except for CORG, Nt, microbial biomass N) showed significant seasonal variability, but the changes were not clear or associated with a specific property. However, we found one similarity; the majority of the determined variables were the highest in May and/or June. Our data confirmed that catch crops play a key function in the management of agroecosystems. Plant biomass incorporated into soil is a source of organic matter, which increases nutrient concentrations and enhances soil biological activity. Because the time of catch crop application did not reveal consistent changes in the studied properties, both spring and autumn applications can be recommended as a suitable practice in modern agriculture.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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Open AccessArticle
Ground Management Through Grazing in Rainfed Olive Orchards Provides High Olive Yields and Has Other Potential Benefits for Both the Soil and the Farmer
by
Paulo Dimande, Margarida Arrobas, Carlos M. Correia and Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060897 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
Soil management in orchards can have several economic and environmental implications. In this study, three different soil management systems were compared in a dry-farmed olive grove: conventional tillage (tillage), glyphosate-based herbicide (herbicide) and sheep grazing. The experiment lasted eleven years (2011–2022) and was
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Soil management in orchards can have several economic and environmental implications. In this study, three different soil management systems were compared in a dry-farmed olive grove: conventional tillage (tillage), glyphosate-based herbicide (herbicide) and sheep grazing. The experiment lasted eleven years (2011–2022) and was carried out after a previous trial conducted on the same plot with the same treatments and duration (2001–2011). However, in the earlier trial, the herbicide and sheep grazing treatments switched positions in the plot, while the tillage treatment remained in its original place. The average total accumulated olive yields between 2011 and 2022 were 225.1, 230.9, and 245.0 kg tree−1 for the sheep grazing, tillage, and herbicide treatments, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed between the treatments. The levels of total organic carbon in the soil, measured in samples collected in the last year of the study, were 41.3, 33.7, and 37.3 g kg−1, respectively, for the same treatments. These findings indicated that the tillage treatment exhibited lower soil organic matter content and reduced bioavailability of some nutrients, which raises concerns about its sustainability. On the contrary, employing sheep grazing with an appropriate stocking rate, effectively controlling vegetation in the spring, ensured favourable soil properties and olive yields comparable to the other treatments. Moreover, the sheep grazing approach provides supplementary advantages to the farmer, including revenue from the sale of animal products and the opportunity to transition to organic farming systems, which better align with the preferences of contemporary societies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Conservation in Olive Orchard)
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Open AccessArticle
Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis Methodology and Its Effectiveness to Identify Nutrient Levels in Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)
by
Bruno Britto Lisboa, André Dabdab Abichequer, Jackson Freitas Brilhante de São José, Jean Michel Moura-Bueno, Gustavo Brunetto and Luciano Kayser Vargas
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060896 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
Yerba mate is a forest species of both cultural and economic importance growing in the subtropical regions of South America, especially in the south of Brazil. Despite its importance, yerba mate has never received enough attention from researchers, so the nutritional sufficiency ranges
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Yerba mate is a forest species of both cultural and economic importance growing in the subtropical regions of South America, especially in the south of Brazil. Despite its importance, yerba mate has never received enough attention from researchers, so the nutritional sufficiency ranges and critical levels have not yet been determined. This research aimed to establish these parameters for yerba mate to enable its foliar diagnosis. A total of 167 leaf samples were collected from production fields located in the five yerba mate-growing regions in Rio Grande do Sul, and the leaf nutrients were determined by standard chemical methods. The yield of each production field was accessed, and the cutoff value separating low- and high-yield groups was calculated in 16.75 Mg ha−1. The multivariate compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) standards were determined, and nutrient interactions were estimated by correlation and principal component analyses. There was no positive correlation between any single nutrient and yield, even in the high-yield population, evidencing that a higher yield is the outcome of the balance among all nutrients. Excess of B occurred in one-third of the low-yield samples, while deficiency of Cu and K occurred in one-fourth of these samples. Finally, we established the adequate leaf nutrient levels for yerba mate.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management and Efficient Use of Nutrients in Crop Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Efficient and Low-Loss Cleaning Method for Non-Uniform Distribution of Threshed Materials Based on Multi-Wing Curved Combination Air Screen in Computational Fluid Dynamics/Discrete Element Method Simulations
by
Longhai Wang, Xiaoyu Chai, Juan Huang, Jinpeng Hu and Zhihong Cui
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060895 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
During the operation of the longitudinal axis flow threshing device of a combine harvester, the threshed materials form accumulations and blockages on both sides of the screen surface, severely affecting the harvesting process. To evenly distribute the materials on the screen and solve
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During the operation of the longitudinal axis flow threshing device of a combine harvester, the threshed materials form accumulations and blockages on both sides of the screen surface, severely affecting the harvesting process. To evenly distribute the materials on the screen and solve the blockage issue, a multi-wing curved combination centrifugal fan is designed to match the mass distribution of the threshed materials. The movement mechanism of rice threshed materials in the cleaning shoe of a longitudinal axis flow combine harvester is investigated using the coupled CFD-DEM simulation method. The cleaning efficiency and performance of the traditional straight-blade fan screen device and the newly designed cleaning device are compared and analyzed, and field tests are conducted. The results show that the trajectory of the threshed materials cleaned by the device equipped with the multi-wing curved combination centrifugal fan is consistent with the mass distribution of the materials separated by the longitudinal axis flow threshing device. The absolute value of the centroid velocity of the material group in the X/Y direction is greater than that of the traditional fan, indicating that the movement speed of the particle group in the optimized fan is greater than that of the traditional fan. Therefore, in the actual cleaning process, the optimized fan’s air flow distribution more effectively accelerates the movement speed of the threshed materials, increasing the amount of materials cleaned per unit time, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency. Field comparative tests show that the designed cleaning device reduced the cleaning loss rate by up to 25.00% and the impurity content rate by 32.20%, achieving efficient and low-damage cleaning of the combine harvester. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method for evenly distributing the materials and provides important reference for the study of other piled particle distribution systems.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress on Agricultural Equipments for Precision Planting and Harvesting)
Open AccessArticle
Study on Flat Die Wear Characteristics in Flat Die Pelletizing with Different Material Ratios Based on DEM-FEM
by
Aimin Gao, Qianyu Dong and Wei Sun
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060894 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
Wear can occur in flat die pelletizers, often reducing service life. This study explores the issue of die hole wear in the pelletizing process of a standard Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feed. The selected TMR formulation comprises varying proportions of corn, alfalfa hay,
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Wear can occur in flat die pelletizers, often reducing service life. This study explores the issue of die hole wear in the pelletizing process of a standard Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feed. The selected TMR formulation comprises varying proportions of corn, alfalfa hay, and quinoa. A coupled DEM-FEM analysis was used to examine stress–strain conditions in various die hole regions at different material ratios, predict the fatigue life of flat die materials in the pelletizing process, and validate the accuracy of investigating flat die wear through friction wear tests. It was found that the entrance of the die hole experiences the most severe conditions in terms of equivalent stress and elastic strain. The fatigue life is shortest at the entrance, with a maximum equivalent stress of 42.8 MPa, a maximum equivalent elastic strain of 2.5 × 10−3, and a minimum fatigue life stress cycle of 5.0 × 105. In contrast, the equivalent stress and equivalent elastic strain at the middle and upper parts of the die hole are minimal, with an equivalent stress of 4.8 MPa and a minimum equivalent elastic strain of 2.8 × 10−4. Material wear tests revealed that the most severe wear on the flat die specimen occurred when the ratio of corn, alfalfa hay, and quinoa straw was 7:2:1, consistent with the findings from the DEM-FEM coupling method. The pelleting process, arising from the contact between the material and metal, encompasses adhesive wear, abrasive wear, and fatigue wear.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
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Open AccessArticle
Effects of Maize/Peanut Intercropping on Yield and Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization under Different Nitrogen Application Rates
by
Yongyong Zhang, Fengyan Zhao, Zhanxiang Sun, Wei Bai, Zhe Zhang, Chen Feng and Qian Cai
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060893 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
The effects of maize/peanut intercropping on crop yields, peanut nodulation, biological nitrogen (N) fixation in peanuts, crop N uptake, and N use efficiency under different N application rates were studied. A long-term maize/peanut intercropping micro-plot experiment was started in 2015. The experiment included
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The effects of maize/peanut intercropping on crop yields, peanut nodulation, biological nitrogen (N) fixation in peanuts, crop N uptake, and N use efficiency under different N application rates were studied. A long-term maize/peanut intercropping micro-plot experiment was started in 2015. The experiment included the following three planting patterns: maize sole crop (SM), peanut sole crop (SP), and maize and peanut intercropping (intercropping maize: IM; intercropping peanut: IP). Additionally, three N application rates were tested as follows: 0 kg·ha−1 (N0), 150 kg·ha−1 (N150), and 300 kg·ha−1 (N300). The results indicated that N fertilization significantly increased maize yield. Intercropping increased maize yield while decreasing peanut yield across different N application rates. Both N fertilization and intercropping significantly increased the maize harvest index (HI), whereas intercropping decreased the peanut HI under N300. The number and fresh weight of peanut nodules decreased with the increasing N application rate with reductions ranging from 31.15% to 45.23% and 39.60% to 46.67%, respectively. Intercropping increased the number of peanut nodules by an average of 62.56% under the N0 treatment. Intercropping significantly improved the N absorption capacity of the whole intercropping system, and the contribution of maize was higher than that of peanuts. Maize demonstrated a stronger competitive ability for N uptake compared with peanuts in the intercropping system. Intercropping significantly increased the N use efficiency for both maize and peanuts. However, the N use efficiency of maize increased with N application rates, while that of peanut decreased. Compared with sole crops, intercropping increased the partial factor productivity of maize by 55.2% but decreased that of peanuts by 56.3%. In conclusion, at an N application rate of 150 kg·ha−1, maize/peanut intercropping increased overall crop yield and improved the N absorption and use capacity of maize
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(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
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Open AccessCorrection
Correction: Mena, G.T.; Gospodarek, J. White Mustard, Sweet Alyssum, and Coriander as Insectary Plants in Agricultural Systems: Impacts on Ecosystem Services and Yield of Crops. Agriculture 2024, 14, 550
by
Gedyon Tamiru Mena and Janina Gospodarek
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060892 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
There was an error in the original publication [...]
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-chemical Plant Protection – Plants as a Source of Protective Factors)
Open AccessCommunication
Compost-Derived Bacterial Communities Offer Promise as Biocontrol Agents against Meloidogyne javanica and Promote Plant Growth in Tomato
by
Eirini Karanastasi, Vasileios Kotsantonis and Iakovos S. Pantelides
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060891 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
Meloidogyne nematodes, commonly known as root-knot nematodes, pose a considerable threat to crop yields, resulting in significant economic losses due to their intricate biology and limited control methods. In line with the European Union’s focus on promoting organic farming and soil health to
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Meloidogyne nematodes, commonly known as root-knot nematodes, pose a considerable threat to crop yields, resulting in significant economic losses due to their intricate biology and limited control methods. In line with the European Union’s focus on promoting organic farming and soil health to encourage sustainable agricultural practices, this study explores the efficacy of two characterized bacterial communities obtained from compost against M. javanica in tomato plants. Through pot experiments, it was demonstrated that both bacterial communities, namely SC1 and SC2, effectively suppressed nematode reproduction and root invasion, which was reflected by a reduction in the number of egg masses per root (by 63% and 28%, respectively) and a reduction in the total progeny population (by 68% and 28%, respectively), with various simultaneously enhanced growth parameters in tomatoes, i.e., aerial part fresh weight increased by 74% and 58%, aerial part dry weight increased by 90% and 55%, and plant height increased by 86% and 53%, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of compost bacterial communities as promising tools for organic or integrated pest management, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices and contributing to improved crop yields.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocontrol of Plant Pests and Pathogens)
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Open AccessArticle
“What’s Good for the Bees Will Be Good for Us!”—A Qualitative Study of the Factors Influencing Beekeeping Activity
by
Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi, István Szűcs and Andrea Bauerné Gáthy
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060890 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Beekeepers play a crucial role in the survival of honey bee populations, so it is essential to understand the drivers behind their activities. This qualitative study aims to explore the factors influencing beekeepers’ decision-making and to assess the relationship between beekeepers and their
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Beekeepers play a crucial role in the survival of honey bee populations, so it is essential to understand the drivers behind their activities. This qualitative study aims to explore the factors influencing beekeepers’ decision-making and to assess the relationship between beekeepers and their bees, to identify the relationship between them by building a theoretical model, and to assess the perception of pollination services as a potential source of income diversification among Hungarian beekeepers. Based on the grounded theory method, we created a paradigm model of beekeeping management based on semi-structured interviews with beekeepers in Hungary. In the analysis of the interviews, we first used open coding to develop categories according to the concepts used by the beekeepers, and then structured and linked these categories (axial coding). Finally, we identified the most relevant main categories (selective coding) and outlined the conceptual framework for beekeeping management. We mapped the strategies and beekeeping practices beekeepers use and the consequences they generate. The results show that several causal conditions influence beekeeping decisions and strategies. In an environment where beekeepers’ costs are increasing and their incomes are decreasing while implementing adaptation strategies, more targeted measures are needed to protect bees and increase beekeepers’ profitability.
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(This article belongs to the Topic The Future of Farming in a Changing World: From Physiology to Technology)
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Nematicidal trans-Anethole Blends Paralyzing Meloidogyne incognita
by
Dimitra Kirgiafini, Argyris Serafim, Urania Menkissoglu-Spiroudi, Trifone D’Addabbo, Nikolaos Tsiropoulos and Nikoletta Ntalli
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060889 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Nematodes have a negative impact on crop production and yield. The use of synthetic formulations to control plant parasitic nematodes carries both environmental and human health risks. As these agrochemicals are gradually being phased out, recent research has been focused on finding more
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Nematodes have a negative impact on crop production and yield. The use of synthetic formulations to control plant parasitic nematodes carries both environmental and human health risks. As these agrochemicals are gradually being phased out, recent research has been focused on finding more environmentally friendly, plant-based alternatives. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of botanicals, used alone or in artificial blends, in paralyzing Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles (J2s) immersed in test solutions or exposed to vapors. We tested thymol, trans-anethole, and two lavender essential oils, referred to as LEOA and LEOB, which vary in their flower and stem compositions. We also employed in our study Melia azedarach aqueous extract (MWE), already proven to have considerable nematicidal activity. According to our findings, all treatments used individually exhibited considerable efficacy, even LEOA and LEOB first reported herein. In addition, all blends exhibited significant synergism, and the best-performing were trans-anethole/thymol, being synergic to paralyzing J2s for up to two days, and trans-anethole/LEOB as well as trans-anethole/MWE, provoking irreversible paralysis since the first day of J2 immersion in test solutions. Most importantly, the blend of trans-anethole with LEOA displayed the best effective synergism against M. incognita both for immersion and fumigation methods. Lastly, the chemical composition analysis displayed linalyl acetate and β-linalool as the major components of LEOA and β-linalool and eucalyptol as the major components of LEOB.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes)
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Making Decisions on the Development of County-Level Agricultural Industries through Comprehensive Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Benefits of Agricultural Products: A Case Study of Hancheng City
by
Chen Lu, Huaizhou Wang, Xue Li and Zhiyuan Zhu
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060888 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the development of county-level agricultural industries through a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of agricultural products. Focusing on Hancheng City in Shaanxi Province, this paper calculates and analyzes the carbon emission
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This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the development of county-level agricultural industries through a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of agricultural products. Focusing on Hancheng City in Shaanxi Province, this paper calculates and analyzes the carbon emission intensity per unit output value and the economic benefits of major agricultural products, assessing their comprehensive advantage indices. The research methods include data collection, data processing, and model construction, utilizing a bi-factor matrix analysis to explore the balance between environmental sustainability and economic profitability of different agricultural products. The results indicate that pepper and vegetables have the highest comprehensive advantages, demonstrating significant economic and environmental benefits, while soybeans show lower comprehensive advantages, requiring improvements in cultivation techniques and management practices. Based on the research findings, this paper proposes policy and management recommendations for different agricultural products, including focusing on the development of high-comprehensive-advantage products, improving cultivation techniques for low-comprehensive-advantage products, promoting green agricultural technologies, establishing a carbon footprint monitoring system for agricultural products, and strengthening agricultural infrastructure construction. The study’s conclusions provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the agricultural development strategies of Hancheng City and similar regions, contributing to the achievement of sustainable agricultural development and carbon reduction goals.
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(This article belongs to the Topic The New Era of Food and Agriculture: Sustainable Strategies to Achieve Zero Hunger)
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Transformation and Sequestration of Total Organic Carbon in Black Soil under Different Fertilization Regimes with Straw Carbon Inputs
by
Jiuming Zhang, Jiahui Yuan, Yingxue Zhu, Enjun Kuang, Jiaye Han, Yanxiang Shi, Fengqin Chi, Dan Wei and Jie Liu
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060887 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the context of the carbon peak and carbon-neutral era, it is crucial to effectively utilize maize straw as a resource for achieving carbon (C) sequestration and emission reduction in rural agriculture. Maize straw carbon undergoes two processes after being added to the
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In the context of the carbon peak and carbon-neutral era, it is crucial to effectively utilize maize straw as a resource for achieving carbon (C) sequestration and emission reduction in rural agriculture. Maize straw carbon undergoes two processes after being added to the soil: mineralization (decomposition) and humification (synthesis) by soil animals and microorganisms. These processes contribute to the reintegration of carbon into the agroecosystem’s carbon cycle. However, understanding of the transformation and stabilization of straw carbon, as well as the differences in C fixation capacity in soils with various fertilization treatments in black soils, remains limited. This study aims to quantify the relationship between straw carbon input and organic carbon sequestration in various fertilization treatments of black soil. Based on a long-term positional fertilization trial (45 years) in black soil, 13C-labeled maize straw (1.5 g in 120 g of dry soil) was applied and combined with an in situ incubation method using carborundum tubes. Throughout the 360-day trial, we observed the influence of fertilization on soil total organic C levels, organic carbon δ13C values, maize straw addition rate, and straw C fixation capacity. The decomposition of straw was most prominent during the initial 60 days of the incubation period, followed by a gradual decrease in the rate of decomposition. Compared with day 0, the SOC δ13C value and straw C residue rate were highest in the no-fertilization treatment (CK) after 360 days of incubation. The amount of organic carbon transformed and fixed in the soil was significantly higher in the organic fertilizer treatment (M) compared to other treatments, highlighting the stronger decomposition, transformation, and carbon fixation capacity of straw carbon in the M treatment. Moreover, the highest carbon storage of 43.23 Mg·ha−1 was observed in the M fertilization treatment after 360 days, which was significantly different from other treatments (p < 0.05). The study demonstrates that soil with low fertility exhibits increased sequestration potential for straw carbon. Additionally, organic fertilizer input would increase soil organic carbon storage and facilitate straw carbon conversion.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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