Article
Food Science & Technology
Gang He, Xusen Liu, Zhenling Cui
Summary: Efficient use of nitrogen is crucial for crop production, environmental sustainability, and food security. This study analyzed nitrogen fertilizer utilization in maize, wheat, and rice production across different countries, highlighting the need for tailored improvement strategies based on socio-economic development stages. Developed countries are close to reaching the potential nitrogen utilization efficiency, while rapidly developing countries can increase production and efficiency through integrated management. Slowly developing countries, on the other hand, need to focus on fundamental agriculture practices to achieve production sustainability.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Chai, Thomas Nemecek, Chang Liang, Cai Zhao, Aizhong Yu, Jeffrey A. Coulter, Yifan Wang, Falong Hu, Li Wang, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Yantai Gan
Summary: The integrated cropping system discussed in the study showed significant synergies in increasing crop yields, farm net returns, and decreasing environmental impact compared to traditional monoculture cropping. This demonstrates the potential for smallholder farmers to achieve dual goals of increasing food production and reducing environmental footprint through adopting integrated farming systems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chenchen Ren, Xiuming Zhang, Stefan Reis, Baojing Gu
Summary: Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers play a crucial role in global food production, but a significant amount is lost to the environment due to low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This study identifies economic development and farm size as key drivers to improve NUE and reduce nitrogen loss. Less developed countries face difficulties in accessing chemical fertilizers, resulting in low nitrogen input and high NUE but soil nitrogen depletion. As economic development progresses, over-fertilization occurs in smallholder farming, leading to nitrogen losses. Large-scale farming improves NUE, reduces nitrogen loss, and benefits agricultural production and environmental protection.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Y. Maphosa, V. A. Jideani, L. Maphosa
Summary: Bambara groundnut is an important legume grown mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Despite its nutritional value, it faces various pressures and requires advanced technologies and management approaches to increase production. Efforts should be intensified to improve the overall utilization and yield of Bambara groundnut.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tamara Rudinskaya, Zdenka Naglova
Summary: Mineral fertilisers like nitrogen and phosphorus are crucial for agricultural production, but their inadequate or excessive use can lead to lower yields, quality loss, environmental pollution, and negative health impacts. The study assesses nitrogen fertiliser use and environmental efficiency in crop production among EU member states, revealing varying levels of efficiency. This sheds light on the need for better management techniques and effective agricultural policies to improve environmental efficiency.
Article
Plant Sciences
Santiago Tamagno, Cameron M. Pittelkow, George Fohner, Taylor S. Nelsen, Joshua M. Hegarty, Claudia E. Carter, Teng Vang, Mark E. Lundy
Summary: In a comparison study between wheat and triticale, it was found that triticale outperformed wheat in terms of yield under certain N fertilizer and water conditions, especially in high-yielding environments. Additionally, triticale produced more grain per unit of water and N fertilizer inputs. Therefore, incorporating triticale into the baking supply chain could reduce water and N fertilizer use, improving the overall resource use efficiency and sustainability of the agri-food system.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yin Yulong, Meng Qingfeng, Ying Hao, Zhang Qingsong, Liu Ye, Zhenling Cui
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that climate change leads to increased nitrogen concentration in rice, reduced internal nitrogen use efficiency, and higher nitrogen uptake by crops, which may require a higher nitrogen application rate in the future to maintain current grain yields.
Review
Agronomy
Sagar Maitra, Akbar Hossain, Marian Brestic, Milan Skalicky, Peter Ondrisik, Harun Gitari, Koushik Brahmachari, Tanmoy Shankar, Preetha Bhadra, Jnana Bharati Palai, Jagadish Jena, Urjashi Bhattacharya, Sarath Kumar Duvvada, Sagar Lalichetti, Masina Sairam
Summary: The traditional intercropping system reduces inputs by diversifying crop cultivation, improving the quality of the agro-ecosystem, and ensuring resource utilization efficiency. Proper management of intercropping enhances the combined yields of crops by minimizing intercrop competition and maximizing resource utilization for sustainable agricultural practices.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Mohd Norazmi Nodin, Zainol Mustafa, Saiful Izzuan Hussain
Summary: The study found that the Malaysian rice self-sufficiency policy leans more towards maximizing output rather than saving resources. However, data shows that the average annual change of efficiency scores decreased during the analyzed period, both in input and output specifications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leila Dal Moro, Jandir Pauli, Laercio Stolfo Maculan, Alcindo Neckel, Dieisson Pivoto, Claudionor Guedes Laimer, Eliane Thaines Bodah, Brian William Bodah, Vaneli do Carmo Dornelles
Summary: The growing demand for food and food security is accompanied by the need for sustainability in food production due to global climate change. This study evaluates the environmental risks in three municipalities in southern Brazil using GIS and AHP methods, demonstrating its effectiveness in mapping and quantifying degraded areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Keyu Ren, Minggang Xu, Rong Li, Lei Zheng, Shaogui Liu, Stefan Reis, Huiying Wang, Changai Lu, Wenju Zhang, Hui Gao, Yinghua Duan, Baojing Gu
Summary: By optimizing nitrogen fertilizer application rates, smallholders in China can increase crop yields, improve nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency, and reduce nitrogen pollution in agriculture without changing their operational practices. However, improving management practices and making investments are necessary to produce more grain with less pollution.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shuqin Jin, Bin Zhang, Bi Wu, Dongmei Han, Yu Hu, Chenchen Ren, Chuanzhen Zhang, Xun Wei, Yan Wu, Arthur P. J. Mol, Stefan Reis, Baojing Gu, Jie Chen
Summary: The study finds a significant decrease in the proportion of rural Chinese households engaging in both livestock raising and crop planting, highlighting the need to rebuild the connections for sustainable agriculture. Livestock manure, once a key source of nutrients in traditional farming, is now being underutilized, leading to resource wastage and environmental damage. Rebuilding the links between livestock and croplands at a regional scale offers important opportunities for the sustainable intensification of agriculture in China.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Leonardo E. Novelli, Octavio P. Caviglia, Esteban G. Jobbagy, Victor O. Sadras
Summary: This study compares soybean-centric cropping systems in Argentina with alternative crop sequences. The findings suggest that complex crop sequences can increase productivity and nitrogen use efficiency, while avoiding over-fertilisation. These insights contribute to the development of more sustainable agricultural systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohsen Jamali, Esmaeil Bakhshandeh, Mohammad Yaghoubi Khanghahi, Carmine Crecchio
Summary: This study examined the potential environmental impacts of wheat residues burning on soil quality in Iran and Italy over the last 50 years. The results showed an increase in global warming potential in Iran and a decrease in Italy, with nitrogen being the main component of nutrient losses in both countries.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhi Yao, Wushuai Zhang, Xingbang Wang, Ming Lu, Wei Zhang, Dunyi Liu, Xiaopeng Gao, Yuanxue Chen, Xinping Chen
Summary: The over-application of fertilizers has no positive effect on crop yield and ecosystem sustainability. This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and proposes optimal levels of N application for maintaining high yield and reducing environmental harm. The findings suggest that moderate N fertilizer application can significantly reduce global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and energy depletion potentials, while improving energy use efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wei Zhang, Edward Kato, Felix Bianchi, Prapti Bhandary, Gerrit Gort, Wopke van der Werf
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jikun Huang, Ke Zhou, Wei Zhang, Xiangzheng Deng, Wopke van der Werf, Yanhui Lu, Kongming Wu, Mark W. Rosegrant
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2018)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Man Li
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS
(2019)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wei Zhang, Marlene Elias, Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Kimberly Swallow, Carlos Calvo-Hernandez, Ephraim Nkonya
Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of healthy soils for agricultural productivity, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem services, while highlighting the issues of degraded soils in Africa. Gender inequality is identified as a deeply embedded obstacle that requires specific understanding and approaches to address. The proposed framework from reviewing gender literature helps identify gender-based constraints and opportunities in promoting soil management.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nian-Feng Wan, Matteo Dainese, Feng Zhu, Liu-Bin Xiao, Wei Zhang, Jun Ma, Wei-Min Wang, Mao-Tao Wang, Jian-Wen Zhu, Jin-Yan Wang, Wei Cheng, Chen Zhou, Shi-Jian Chen, Qin Wei, Yao-Pei Jiang, Xiang-Wen Wu, Hong-Juan Yi, Hui-Hua Gan, Hui-Mei Shen, Xiang-Yun Ji, Yi Lu, Zi-Ji Zhou, Jian-Jun Zhang, Wei-Yu Chen, Shi-Yun Qiu, You-Ming Cai, Jie-Xian Jiang, Bo Li
Summary: The study revealed that urbanization affecting croplands has led to a decrease in the population of three pest species, highlighting its significant impact on insect populations. This suggests that monitoring and understanding insect dynamics in rapidly urbanizing regions is crucial.
Article
Development Studies
Rui Gu, Wei Zhang, Kevin Chen, Fengying Nie
Summary: This paper examines the impact of ICT adoption on poverty reduction in rural China. Using a three-wave panel data set of household surveys from seven poor counties, the study finds that ICTs have positively contributed to poverty reduction through increased migration and off-farm income. The findings emphasize the importance of creating incentives for local development through ICTs.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Harpinder Sandhu, Wei Zhang, Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Hagar ElDidi, Saiqa Perveen, Janvi Sharma, Japneet Kaur, Pratiti Priyadarshini
Summary: This article estimates the economic contribution of land-based commons in India and finds that forest, cultivable wastelands, and permanent pastures provide significant ecosystem services. The estimated value of ecosystem services provided by land commons in India is approximately $90.5 billion per year, but it is projected to decline to $68 billion by 2050. This decline will have devastating implications for rural populations and the delivery of critical ecosystem services, highlighting the need to use ecosystem services valuation for decision-making and policy to protect and sustainably manage land commons in India.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Man Li
Summary: This study examines the weather impacts on agriculture in Bangladesh and identifies the productive adaptations of farmers to expected and unexpected weather changes. The findings suggest that Bangladeshi farmers are resilient to temperatures below 32 degrees C but suffer significant declines in agricultural productivity due to exposure to extreme heat. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding farmers' adaptations to climate change in developing countries.
Article
Environmental Studies
Wei Zhang, Ruth S. Meinzen-Dick, Sanoop Valappanandi, Raksha Balakrishna, Hemalatha Reddy, Marco A. Janssen, Liya Thomas, Pratiti Priyadarshini, Sandeep Kandicuppa, Rahul Chaturvedi, Rucha Ghate
Summary: This paper presents results from a field experiment on cooperation in common-pool resource management, showing that men extracted less than women and communication and optional rule election led to lower group harvest.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMONS
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Sergei Schaub, Jaboury Ghazoul, Robert Huber, Wei Zhang, Adelaide Sander, Charles Rees, Simanti Banerjee, Robert Finger
Summary: Agri-environmental schemes (AESs) are implemented to promote environmentally friendly farming practices, but the decision to participate in these schemes is influenced by behavioural factors and opportunity costs. A systematic review of studies from Australia, Europe, and North America identified agricultural training, advice, positive attitudes towards AESs, market conditions, implementation efforts, profitability, and management and contract flexibility as key factors associated with participation in these schemes. However, the relationships between behavioural factors, opportunity costs, and AES participation are not consistently generalizable, highlighting the need for context-specific interpretation and further research.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Review
Development Studies
Wei Zhang, Hagar ElDidi, Yuta J. Masuda, Ruth S. Meinzen-Dick, Kimberly A. Swallow, Claudia Ringler, Nicole DeMello, Allison Aldous
Summary: Freshwater resources are facing significant pressure due to human activities and climate change. Community-based conservation can help address these challenges by involving local communities in natural resource management. A framework that considers the unique features of freshwater resources is needed to unlock the potential of community-based conservation in achieving environmental and developmental impacts. By applying this framework in conservation planning processes, important insights for developing robust community-based conservation programs can be gained.
SOCIETY & NATURAL RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Reid Bell, O. Sarobidy Rakotonarivo, Apurva Bhargava, A. Bradley Duthie, Wei Zhang, Rebecca Sargent, Amy R. R. Lewis, Adams Kipchumba
Summary: A series of dynamic games built around collective action dilemmas in conservation suggest that payments to encourage conservation often fail to jointly improve agricultural production and environmental outcomes, but are more successful in more educated and gender diverse groups.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Man Li, Zhe Guo, Wei Zhang
Summary: The study develops a spatially integrated economic-ecological modeling method to assess the potential of science-based cropland use planning in improving crop production. The method combines economic and ecological models to explore trade-offs between food security and environmental sustainability, considering both spatial and seasonal dimensions.