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Aquaculture is an interdisciplinary approach that is based on water-food-energy nexus and involves circular bio-based economy concept. This approach has shown immense potential for reduced resource consumption, anthropogenic discharge mitigation, and recycling of nutrients, energy, and agricultural wastes in meeting the global food demands of ever-increasing population. Thus, in this study, we have analyzed the integration of two farming systems, i.e., lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and gulfam fish (Cyprinus carpio), into an agri-aquaculture and compared them with corresponding non-integrated systems or partially integrated systems. The results showed that both lettuce and gulfam fish supported each other as lettuce provided shade and attracted insects for fish feed and fish nitrogenous wastes were utilized by the lettuce for production of green biomass. Consequently, the fully integrated system showed better biomass production with sustainable resource consumption. The gross revenue, cost variable, and net returns of net cost and benefit flow of lettuce and gulfam fish were found considerably high in fully integrated system compared to partially and non-integrated systems. Overall, the net economic return in fully integrated agri-aquaculture systems (PKR 746.57 ± 61.77) was significantly higher than non-integrated (PKR 4181 ± 4.00) and partially integrated system (PKR 326.66 ± 34.26). In brief, the lettuce-gulfam fish agri-aquaculture system could be adopted as a profitable farming system, especially for resource-constrained small-scale farmers as it requires less expense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive annual forage cultivation via diversified sowing can increase resource-use efficiency and meet the food requirements of the growing population. However, increasing cultivation time could increase energy demands and production costs with accompanying environmental hazards, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A 2-year field experiment including three cropping systems (forage oat monoculture [O], forage oat–common vetch mixed-cropping [O/V], and common vetch monoculture [V]) and two sowing dates (spring and summer) was conducted to comprehensively assess productivity performance, energy utilization, and ecological efficiency under a cereal–legume mixed system over two sowing seasons in Northwestern China. The average system dry matter yield and economic benefit in the mixed system increased by 70.9% and 132.6%, respectively, compared to those of the monoculture system. The application of a mixed-cropping system increased energy efficiency and the ecoefficiency index (EEI) by 61.4% and 132.3%, respectively, with a decline in GHG emission intensity (GHGI) by 49.9%. Spring sowing increased average forage productivity and economic benefit by 9.3% and 18.6%, respectively, with a 23.0% decline in GHGI compared with that engendered by summer sowing. However, there was no correlation between the mixed-cropping system and single sowing date, and the average dry matter yield, economic benefit, and GHGI of the mixed-cropping system were 7.8 t ha−1, 1478.4 USD ha−1, and 0.3 kg CO2e kg−1, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the monoculture system, the combination of spring and summer seasons under the mixed-cropping system could increase the average annual system forage productivity, economic benefit, and EEI by 37.0%, 49.9%, and 53.1%, respectively, while reducing GHGI by 48.4%. This study demonstrates that the mixed forage oat and common vetch during spring and summer was the sustainable cropping system that achieved high system productivity, good economic returns, high energy utilization, and low environmental risk in Northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to insufficient appreciation for the breeding of dairy sheep, breeds of sheep without market milk production have started to gain popularity in Slovakia. Particularly, meat breeds are coming to the forefront, with their breeding being less demanding and more efficient, reflected mainly in the daily weight gains of growing lambs. Study aimed to analyse the utility and reproductive parameters of breeding the meat breeds Suffolk, located in central Slovakia, in the Rimavská Sobota district. Analysis is supplemented by a detailed description of the breed standard and devotes attention to all the tasks carried out on the farm during the sheep farming year. It focuses mainly on a simple year-round grazing system without housing, utilizing only shelters for protection against adverse weather conditions. Analysed utility and reproductive parameters such as average daily gains, loin muscle thickness, backfat thickness, and fertility were compared and evaluated over the last seven years. Results indicate that the evaluated parameters are mainly influenced by the size of the flock, the number of ewes put to ram, the individual approach to each breeding ewe, and environmental factors. Number of offspring is mainly influenced by the nutrition of the dam in the last third of pregnancy. Despite the simplicity of the breeding system, monitored breeding can achieve above-average results with proper management and innovative approaches.

Pea is one of the most important crop plants (second after soybean) in the Fabaceae family (Shanthakumar et al., 2022) being considered a safe and cheap source of protein, starch, fiber, vitamins and minerals, low-fat, glutenfree, and low-allergenic (Munialo et al. 2014). Leaving the field early and leaving the soil enriched in nitrogen thanks to the symbiosis between the pea roots and Rhizobium spp. bacteria creates ideal conditions for the plants that follow in the rotation. the present paper, we aimed to test the influence of the biological cultivation method on the productivity elements of native yellow pea varieties in the eco-pedological conditions of Transylvania, elaboration of recommendations regarding the applied technology on some morphological and productivity elements in autumn peas. Pea crops were placed in two different locations (SDE Cojocna and private farm in Fundatura), under the same pedoclimatic conditions. In the organic farming system, the Olguța variety showed a reduced number of pods/plants, number of grains in the pod and the highest value of the MMB. In the organic farming system, the most productive pea variety was Ghittia with a production of over 2300 kg/ha and in the conventional farming system Olguța with 5000 kg/ha yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying cropland utilization patterns is crucial for achieving efficient cropland use and ensuring food security. This study explores the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the "explicit-implicit" patterns coupling coordination degree of cropland utilization in the farming regions of northwest China from 2010 to 2021. A comprehensive evaluation index system of cropland utilization patterns was constructed, and spatiotemporal statistical methods were employed. The obstacle factors of cropland utilization were analyzed using the barrier degree decomposition model. The results showed that: (1) The explicit and implicit patterns of cropland utilization in northwest China's farming systems developed asynchronously, with significant regional differentiation and backward development. The coupling coordination degree between explicit and implicit patterns of cropland utilization remained low, exhibiting a pronounced polarization in each sub-region. (2) The intra-regional differences in the coupling coordination degree of "explicit-implicit" patterns of cropland utilization displayed a fluctuating downward trend, while the contribution rate of inter-regional differences gradually increased, becoming the main source of overall variation. Each sub-region demonstrated spatial convergence characteristics. (3) Cropland utilization is primarily constrained by factors such as cropland quantity structure, landscape characteristics, intensive level, and production function. To address these limitations, the study suggests improving the rational use of water resources, promoting the protection and development of suitable cultivated land, and alleviating the impact of obstacle factors. These measures aim to develop a suitable farming system and enhance the coupling development of "explicit-implicit" patterns of cropland utilization, providing a scientific reference for the sustainable development of cropland utilization in the farming systems of northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manure valorization through on-farm use or market transactions is an ancient and widespread practice in the mixed crop-livestock systems of the semi-arid areas of North Africa. While research has long focused on the manure contribution to soil fertility at the plot level, little has been done concerning livelihood conditions. The present paper aims to assess the contribution of manure use and exchange on the livelihoods of rural communities using an original dataset collected in 2021 among 150 farmers in Central Tunisia. This analysis is carried out within the analytical agroecology framework combined with factor analysis methods. Results showed that manure use and valorization differ along the watershed, from a socioeconomic perspective in small farms operating under rainfed tree-pastoral systems, to an environmental and agronomic perspective in the mixed rainfed-irrigated systems downstream. Manure flow analysis confirmed that on-farm manure balance is positively correlated to economic wealth. However, the manure fluxes questioned the environmental sustainability of the vulnerable zones. Its use and management could significantly impact livelihood discrepancies in the future, with the increasing of demand and use of manure in more favorable zones such as irrigated lands at the detriment of the rainfed zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree plantations have become a common economic activity in the Ethiopian Highlands, particularly in our study areas. This is mainly due to the degradation and restrictions of natural forests, the introduction and expansion of fast‐growing tree species, and the potential short‐term economic benefits of woodlot plantations. Our research was conducted in Dangila and the nearby Adiskedam Woreda in North‐western Ethiopia to evaluate the profitability of monoculture and intercropping land‐use systems. We used the land expectation value (LEV) model developed by Faustmann to assess the profitability of the different land‐use systems in the study area. We obtained production costs and benefits of the land‐use system from the farmers through questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data analysis was carried out using Excel (2016) and SPSS statistical software. The findings revealed that the Acacia decurrens (Ad) farming practice showed the highest LEV at all interest levels, followed by intercropping land use. At a 15% interest rate, the eucalyptus with maize (E + M) land‐use system was the second most profitable with a value of 3677.5 USD. However, at 5% and 2% interest rates, the Ad with maize (Ad + M) land‐use system demonstrated the second highest LEV of 14,585.6 and 39,695.1 USD, respectively. The M land‐use system had the lowest LEV at all interest rates except at a 15% interest rate. The sensitivity analysis showed that fluctuations in product prices significantly impacted all land use systems, except M. In addition, changes in interest rates were the secondary factor affecting the Ad, E, and Ad + M land‐use systems. The LEV of M monoculture was notably influenced by the wage rate; however, it had the least impact on the other land‐use systems. Taking into account the interests of farmers, the profitability of land‐use systems, and the perception of farmers concerning adjacent land productivity, Ad and Ad intercropping with the M farming systems are recommended, and identifying the optimal mix of intercropping and optimum tree rotation age is fundamental in the future, which could increase productivity and make the farmer more profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beekeeping has faced increasing difficulties during the past decades, among which is the decline in floral resources. Agriculture provides essential floral resources for beekeeping, but some farming practices have also been shown to be responsible for their decline. To provide floral resources for beekeeping, what type of agricultural transformation should be promoted, and how? To answer these questions, we still lack knowledge about the floral resources that are used by beekeeping and about the technical-economic obstacles that farmers face in implementing more favorable farming practices, particularly in agropastoral settings. To help fill these gaps, we develop a novel approach that frames both agropastoral farming and beekeeping as farming systems, by characterizing the beekeeping systems of a given place, the floral resources they use, and the impacts these farming systems have on floral resources. This approach is applied to the agropastoral landscapes of Mount Lozère, southern France, using a methodology based on semi-structured interviews with farmers and beekeepers addressing the agronomical functioning of their farms. We demonstrate that the floral resources used by beekeepers on Mount Lozère are threatened by the current dominant agricultural development paths, which seek to maximize the material productivity of labor. Such paths lead to the intensification of agricultural practices in harvested areas and the extensification of rangelands. These pathways are reinforced by the low remuneration of agropastoral labor and by the current rules of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy. "Frugal" farming, a farming system based on reduced inputs and investments, and labor-intensive practices, namely, a labor-intensive use of pasture, seems an effective way to produce floral resources. Both, agropastoral farmers and beekeepers, would benefit from an increase in the number of agricultural workers in agropastoral landscapes. This calls for public policies that promote a better remuneration of agropastoral labor, either directly or by driving market mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millet agriculture, which originated in northern China, alongside rice agriculture, have nurtured the Chinese civilization. Prehistoric manuring practices likely promoted and maintained sustainable millet agricultural production in the loess area of northern China. However, ongoing controversy exists regarding the indicators of prehistoric manuring intensity of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and common millet (Panicum miliaceum). Here, we present the results of pot and field fertilization experiments on two millet types. Our findings suggest that manuring can significantly increase the δ15N values of foxtail millet, and its δ15N values increase with increasing manuring levels. The δ15N values of foxtail millet leaves are systematically greater than those of grains by approximately 1.6‰. Manuring could have a long-term residual impact on increasing the δ15N values of soil and millet crops. Combined with previous crop fertilization experiment results, we propose that the impact of manuring on the δ15N values of non-nitrogen-fixing crops is roughly consistent. The δ15N value and amount of manure are key factors determining the extent of change in plant δ15N values. The millet grain δ15N values can serve as reliable indicators of manuring practices. Finally, we provide an interpretive framework for assessing the correlation between manuring levels and the δ15N values of archaeological millet remains. The δ15N values of ancient millet grains suggest widespread and intensive manuring practices in prehistoric millet agriculture in northern China, spanning from the early Yangshao period to the Longshan period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durant, D. and Kernéïs, E., 2024. Investigating the farm resilience of polder environments after seawater flooding: Results from Storm Xynthia (2010). Journal of Coastal Research, 40(5), 887–900. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Climate forecasts predict that global warming will cause sea-levels to rise and will increase the frequency of storms in the future, thus also increasing the risk of submersion of coastal agricultural areas. Yet very few studies examine the consequences of seawater flooding, from either an agricultural or an environmental point of view. This study therefore investigates the resilience of coastal farming systems through the case study of the Saint Laurent de la Prée research farm hit by the Storm Xynthia in 2010. Two aspects of resilience are analysed here: (i) the soil characteristics of the system (indicators: salinity, sodicity and structural stability) after the submersion, and the system's ability to recover its productive capacity on croplands (crop yields) and on permanent grasslands (fodder production); and (ii) the ecological resilience of permanent grasslands (indicators: species richness and diversity). Results showed that the system recovered its productive capacity in 2012, so after two years, when the research farm engineers recorded a return of the crops and grasslands to a production level that they considered satisfactory. For crop soils, there was a quick recovery of salinity levels, but the structural stability after the storm was largely degraded and had not totally recovered by 2012. On grasslands, the farm suffered two successive years of low grassland productivity, partially due to a temporary shift in plant species' composition. Finally, two dimensions of resilience are discussed here: (i) the speed of recovery; and (ii) the ability to learn from the storm, in view of the increasing risks of coastal submersion in the future. As it appears that flood protection policy must consider local and long-term impacts of seawater flooding on agricultural lands, this study can provide useful information for further research on the foresight scenarios and adaptive strategies required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The qualitative analysis of farmers' use of Indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation across farming systems and agroecological zones of Sierra Leone was conducted using a combination of interpretive phenomenological analysis, Focus Group Discussions, and participant observation, which was analyzed with a qualitative interpretative approach. Farmers respond to climate change through the use of wind and cloud patterns, animal and bird behavior, moon shape, and position of the sun to predict changes in temperature, intensity, drying up of rivers, and frequency of rainfall, as well as the incidence of pests and diseases. Other Indigenous knowledge used by farmers were rotational grazing, migration, crop-livestock integration, and the use of manure for composting with herbal and biological treatment for disease management. The study recommended that in the current context of climate change, the promotion of adaptation strategies should explore the interdependency of different knowledge systems and knowledge hybridity in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The deposition of organic carbon in biogeocenoses depends on natural conditions. In agrobiocenosis, along with natural conditions, this process is activated by anthropogenic actions in the form of an agricultural system, having studied which can be taken as a basis for the organization of carbon farming. Purpose. The aim of the study is to establish the intensity of the process of deposition of organic carbon by agrobiogeocenoses in the moderately arid steppe of Altai. Materials and methods. The object of research was the soils of the moderately arid Altai steppe, which are a repository of organic carbon. We used archival materials of JSC AltayNIIGiprozem and the results of our own research in 2023. Organic carbon was determined by the Tyurin method, pure primary products according to the method of A.A. Titlyanova, at the same time, production, aboveground and subsurface mortmass were taken into account, which makes it possible to determine the potential arrival of organic matter by agrocenoses. Results. The content of organic carbon in the humus horizon has significantly degraded by 23-32% over 40 years in southern and ordinary agrochernozems, to a lesser extent in leached ones. In the ecosystem, the largest reserves of organic carbon in a twenty-centimeter layer are characterized by biogeocenoses of salt marshes and meadow-marsh soils, followed in decreasing sequence by gray forest, meadow, meadow-chernozem, salt marshes. Agro-soils contain 40-45% less organic carbon than the natural ecosystems of biogeocenoses of salt marshes and meadow-marsh soils. Post-photosynthetic carbon runoff has been determined in the agrocenoses of spring wheat, oilseed flax, and spring rapeseed. At the same time, rapeseed absorbs 4 times more carbon dioxide compared to spring wheat and 58% more than oilseed flax. Conclusion. The results of the research are the initial stage of the organization of carbon farming, allowing you to set the intervals of carbon units.

Addressing food security, Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) emerged, combining various enterprises within a farm for marginal and small farmers. Typology is a significant tool in analysing the diversity among IFS. We interviewed 250 marginal and small farmers following IFS during 2022-2023 for typology assessment in the western zone of Tamil Nadu, India. Multivariate statistical analysis resulted in four distinct farm types i.e., type-1. Marginal farmers with diversified crops dominated by cereals, less owned area, a smaller number of livestock and lower income constitutes (38.4%), type-2. Marginal farmers with diversified crops dominated by fodder crops, medium number of livestock and high livestock income contributes (29.6%), type-3. Marginal farmers with various crops dominated by cash crops, medium number of livestock and medium income contributes (22.4%) and type-4. Small farmers with various crops dominated by plantation crops, higher owned area, medium number of livestock and higher income contributes (9.6%). Constraint analysis was done for various crops and livestock production systems in each farm type. To overcome these constraints, socially acceptable interventions were given to each farm type. The study advocated that the findings of typology and constraint analysis contribute to suitable interventions for specific locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In an environment where the adoption of improved varieties resulting from plant breeding programs is limited, it is essential to identify end‐user preferences beforehand. A participatory survey was conducted in eight localities in Korhogo and Bouaké regions (central and northern Cote d'Ivoire respectively) to identify producers' preferences and increase the adoption of improved varieties. The study involved 160 producers and consumers through focus group discussions and individual interviews. Results: Sweetpotato is mostly grown on small plots (<1 ha) of land (89.2%), with women (66%) as the main producers. In the Bouaké region, sweetpotatoes are grown on mounds (100%), whereas in Korhogo they are grown on ridges (86.2%). The main food products or forms of preparation from roots are fries (34.7%), boiled (34.3%), mashed (12.4%), and sweetpotato stew (9.1%). Major constraints, including low price of roots (26.3%), low productivity (16.2%), and post‐harvest storage issues (14.5%), were identified as affecting sweetpotato production. Conclusions: The selection of new varieties should be oriented towards high‐yielding varieties with high dry matter content, deployed stems, and roots of round, oblong, or elliptical shape with good culinary characteristics (dry matter, sweet taste, dry texture, absence of fiber). Plants must be drought resistant, be tolerant to poor soil, diseases, and pests, and have a good yield. The color of skin and flesh of the sweetpotato, although constituting criteria of choice, are not essential for the acceptance or the rejection of a variety by users. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning to low‐input agricultural systems such as organic farming has been acknowledged as a way to mitigate negative effects of agriculture on biodiversity. However, the speed, magnitude and context dependence of biodiversity recovery after converting to organic farming remain uncertain. In this study, we explored the response of plant communities to time since transition to organic farming in a variety of production contexts.Using a spatially replicated space‐for‐time substitution design, we surveyed plant communities in small‐grain cereal and ley fields in conventional and organic farms, distributed along independent gradients of time since transition to organic farming and proportion of seminatural grasslands in the landscapes. We selected a set of response traits to explore the mechanism of potential time lag in that response to conversion. These traits were selected to characterize the sensitivity of plant species to agricultural inputs and their ability to respond swiftly to environmental changes.We found an increase in plant species richness and evenness in cereal fields with increasing time since transition to organic farming, and a similar but less pronounced pattern in leys. After 30 years of continuous organic farming, organic cereal fields harboured more than twice the number of plant species than newly converted fields. Importantly, we found that the dependence on insect pollination, sensitivity to herbicides and dispersal capacity of plants modulated the effects of time since transition on plant communities in cereal fields. This suggests that both management and biotic interactions shape plant community structure in response to organic practices over time.Policy implications. Our study highlights that benefits of organic farming for plant diversity are likely to take decades to become substantial after conversion. We found this slow recovery of plant communities to be driven by both the gradual improvement of habitat quality after conversion and species' dispersal limitation. Assessments of biodiversity benefits of organic farming should therefore consider this time delay to avoid underestimating its environmental performance. Farmers should also be supported during this ecological transitional phase during which yield‐enhancing ecosystem services reliant on plant diversity might build up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sub-Saharan Africa, productivity risks stem from weather variability, while environmental risks include soil nutrient depletion due to unsustainable farming practices that include monoculture, inadequate or lack of soil and water conservation measures, and low-nutrient application. As a result, shifts from the prevailing fallow system to permanent cultivation lead to soil degradation. The present study aimed to quantify the fluxes of biomass, nutrients, and nutrient balances from different fertilizer sources to de-risk the challenges related to agriculture and the environment in Mali. A farm household survey was conducted over two years (July 2018 to June 2020) with 45 households. The survey enabled us to categorize farm households into three typologies: high resource endowment (HRE), medium resource endowment (MRE), and low resource endowment (LRE). Data on sustainability indicators from cropland, livestock, farm input use, and redistribution units enabled the analysis of biomass and nutrient flow dynamics from households to farmlands and vice versa. The nutrient monitoring (NUTMON) tool generated nutrient flows and balances. Results showed that the total annual biomass collected per hectare by HRE (22.3t) is significantly higher than that collected by MRE (13.4t) and LRE (5.35t) farms (P ​

Background: The increased number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as a zoonosis has raised concerns in terms of poultry and human health. Farmers' preventive practices are an effective way of reducing zoonosis. However, this practice may have been affected by many factors, including production behaviors, awareness, and farmers' perceptions of farmers toward zoonosis. Aim: This study was conducted on 166 poultry farms in Tra Vinh Province with 14,894 poultry heads to determine the socioeconomic profiles and production characteristics of poultry farms and analyze the effect of these factors on HPAI vaccination practices. Methods: Respondents were selected from lists provided by government officers. Descriptive statistics were used to describe all variables, and factors affecting HPAI vaccination practices were analyzed using binary regression analysis. Results: The results showed that most farmers raised poultry with other livestock using the free-range method, which is a semi-intensive system. The primary objectives of poultry farming are meat sales and augmenting household consumption, with farmers primarily raising chicks produced on their farms. The implementation of the vaccine was less than 50% on the surveyed farms, with a small number of farmers administering an HPAI booster dose. However, only 6% of the farmers confirmed that their livestock had been exposed to HPAI. In addition, HPAI vaccination and booster dose practices significantly increased when farmers had 4–6 family members and received HPAI prevention training. Moreover, increased poultry numbers have led to increased vaccination rates and the implementation of booster doses for poultry. The study also reported that the vaccination rate decreased when poultry was used for household consumption. Conclusion: Sociodemographic characteristics and production behaviors can affect the implementation of HPAI vaccination on small poultry farms. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(3.000): 794-804]

Intensive annual forage cultivation via diversified sowing can increase resource-use efficiency and meet the food requirements of the growing population. However, increasing cultivation time could increase energy demands and production costs with accompanying environmental hazards, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A 2-year field experiment including three cropping systems (forage oat monoculture [O], forage oat–common vetch mixed-cropping [O/V], and common vetch monoculture [V]) and two sowing dates (spring and summer) was conducted to comprehensively assess productivity performance, energy utilization, and ecological efficiency under a cereal–legume mixed system over two sowing seasons in Northwestern China. The average system dry matter yield and economic benefit in the mixed system increased by 70.9% and 132.6%, respectively, compared to those of the monoculture system. The application of a mixed-cropping system increased energy efficiency and the ecoefficiency index (EEI) by 61.4% and 132.3%, respectively, with a decline in GHG emission intensity (GHGI) by 49.9%. Spring sowing increased average forage productivity and economic benefit by 9.3% and 18.6%, respectively, with a 23.0% decline in GHGI compared with that engendered by summer sowing. However, there was no correlation between the mixed-cropping system and single sowing date, and the average dry matter yield, economic benefit, and GHGI of the mixed-cropping system were 7.8 t ha−1, 1478.4 USD ha−1, and 0.3 kg CO2e kg−1, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the monoculture system, the combination of spring and summer seasons under the mixed-cropping system could increase the average annual system forage productivity, economic benefit, and EEI by 37.0%, 49.9%, and 53.1%, respectively, while reducing GHGI by 48.4%. This study demonstrates that the mixed forage oat and common vetch during spring and summer was the sustainable cropping system that achieved high system productivity, good economic returns, high energy utilization, and low environmental risk in Northwestern China.

Agriculture is vital to the Saudi Arabian economy since it provides food and other necessities to people living in rural areas, as well as those living in adjacent cities. Notwithstanding its considerable economic importance, the agricultural sector is confronted with formidable obstacles due to climate change, such as elevated temperatures, floods, extreme droughts, and decreased agricultural yields. Building a farming system capable of being climate resilient requires the comprehension of the vulnerabilities of farm households and related systems. This paper deals with the potential agricultural risks resulting from climate change in Saudi Arabia. In addition to concentrating on precipitation and temperature, the present research incorporates the three main components of the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI): sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capability. The results of this research reveal a notable challenge that farmers in Saudi Arabia encounter, as they are very susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) has a score of 0.730, signifying a substantial degree of vulnerability. The farmers in this region are very susceptible to uncertainties caused by climate change, as indicated by the significant exposure score of 0.725. This exposure comprises a wide range of concerns resulting from fluctuations in temperature, patterns of rainfall, and occurrences of severe weather, all of which have an immediate and negative effect on agriculture. Farmers in that region are more susceptible to the effects of climate change, which could jeopardize their livelihoods and agricultural operations, as shown by the susceptibility component (SVI) of 0.559. Moreover, the adaptive capacity (AVI) score of 0.567 highlights the fact that farmers have limited access to resources, skills, and experience, hindering their ability to tackle the challenges that have been caused by climate change in this region successfully. The results emphasize the immediate necessity for specific policies and assistance to enhance the resilience of agricultural communities in the area, as well as to mitigate the potential adverse effects of climate change on their livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil bacteria-fungi interactions are essential in the biogeochemical cycles of several nutrients, making these microbes major players in agroecosystems. While the impact of the farming system on microbial community composition has been extensively reported in the literature, whether sustainable farming approaches can promote associations between bacteria and fungi is still unclear. To study this, we employed 16S, ITS, and 18S DNA sequencing to uncover how microbial interactions were affected by conventional and organic farming systems on maize crops. The Bray–Curtis index revealed that bacterial, fungal, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities were significantly different between the two farming systems. Several taxa known to thrive in healthy soils, such as Nitrosophaerales, Orbiliales, and Glomus were more abundant in the organic farming system. Constrained ordination revealed that the organic farming system microbial community was significantly correlated with the β-glucosidase activity, whereas the conventional farming system microbial community significantly correlated with soil pH. Both conventional and organic co-occurrence interkingdom networks exhibited a parallel node count, however, the former had a higher number of edges, thus being denser than the latter. Despite the similar amount of fungal nodes in the co-occurrence networks, the organic farming system co-occurrence network exhibited more than 3-fold the proportion of fungal taxa as keystone nodes than the conventional co-occurrence network. The genera Bionectria, Cercophora, Geastrum, Penicillium, Preussia, Metarhizium, Myceliophthora, and Rhizophlyctis were among the fungal keystone nodes of the organic farming system network. Altogether, our results uncover that beyond differences in microbial community composition between the two farming systems, fungal keystone nodes are far more relevant in the organic farming system, thus suggesting that bacteria-fungi interactions are more frequent in organic farming systems, promoting a more functional microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saharan population in Algeria still depending on bovine milk, which suffers from serious constraints undermining its sustainability. Camelus dromedarius milk has experienced growing demand following the emerging market requirements for livestock production and dairy farming over the past decade. The present work aimed at analysing the effect of nutritional regime on milk quality. The differences in pH, Acidity D°, Ash and Fats were significant. The pH was negatively influenced by the intensification conditions such as the much higher use of concentrates. The major constituents of milk were strongly and positively correlated with barley, wheat bran, TN/Kg.DM (Total Nitrogen/ Kg. Dry Matter), Kg.DM, Concentrates and daily watering. The results showed that a good energy-protein balance around 73 g PDI/UFL (Protein Digestible in the Intestine/Energetic Forage Unit for milk production) was beneficial for a better milk protein ratio. The use of corn, soybeans, palm dates and VM-premix (Vitamin Mineral) supplementation were also favourable to the synthesis of fats. Crude fiber and cell walls were better valued in the synthesis of fats with the availability of concentrates and the increasing of TN /Kg.DM and VM-premix rate in dietary regime. The vitamin C content elevate following high ratio of UFL /Kg.DM and PDI/UFL. For thus, the influence of nutritional status can lead to major improvements that need also more advanced and detailed studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain societies are strongly linked to natural resources and their rational management. The growing population has led to the management of mountain areas according to emerging human needs. The study was conducted in the Urej River catchment (The Fann Mountains, Tajikistan). This paper aims to present changes in land use in 1988–2023 resulting from environmental conditions and land reform. Pasturelands predominate in the study area (93.8%), while built-up with kitchen garden and irrigated areas cover 1.8% and 4.0% of the area, respectively. Kitchen gardens and irrigated areas provide food for the residents. Significant land-use changes were observed along the Uroz River, where the irrigation system was developed in areas that have not yet been used for plant cultivation. This is typical of many areas in Tajikistan, where it is impossible to obtain crops without irrigation due to climatic conditions. Until 1988, the study area was not as intensively cultivated as it is today. Under the ongoing lease system based on the Dehkan Farm Act, grazing land is still owned by the state, but inhabitants have access to it. The leased land does little to improve the economic situation of households but contributes to preventing ecosystem degradation on the slopes caused by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Agricultural production, which dominates the environmental impacts of the food sector, has specific characteristics that need to be considered in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. Agricultural systems are open, difficult to manage and control, strongly depend on natural resources and their impacts are highly variable and influenced by soil, climate and farm management. A specific framework, efficient methods and tools are thus needed to adequately assess the environmental impacts of agricultural systems. Methods: We present the Swiss Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment (SALCA) concept and method, developed for a detailed and specific analysis of agricultural systems. It comprises rules for the definition of system boundaries, functional unit and allocation, emission models, a life cycle inventory (LCI) database, calculation tools, impact assessment methods and concepts for analysis, interpretation and communication. This paper focuses on emission models for gaseous N, nitrate leaching, P emissions to water, soil erosion, pesticides, heavy metals, emissions from animal production and impact assessment methods for soil quality and biodiversity. The models are calculated at the crop, field, animal group and farm levels and are integrated in a consistent and harmonised framework, which is ensured by exchanging intermediate results between models. Results and discussion: The SALCA concept has been applied in numerous LCA studies for crops and crop products, cropping systems, animal husbandry systems and animal products, food and feed products, farms and product groups, the agrifood sector and food systems. The SALCA methodology has also been a backbone of the LCI databases ecoinvent, AGRIBALYSE and the World Food LCA database. The strengths of SALCA lie in its comprehensiveness, specificity to agriculture, harmonisation, broad applicability, consistency, comparability, flexibility and modularity. The extensive data demand and the high complexity, however, limit the application of SALCA to experts. The geographical scope is limited to Central and Western Europe, with a special focus on Switzerland. However, due to the modular and flexible design, an adaptation to other contexts is feasible with reasonable effort. Conclusions: SALCA enables answering a wide range of research questions related to environmental assessment and is applicable to various goals and scopes. A further development would be the inclusion of the social and economic dimensions to perform a full sustainability analysis in the SALCAsustain framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of meat can differ between grazing and feedlot yaks. The present study examined whether spectral fingerprints by visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy and chemo-metrics could be employed to identify the meat of grazing and feedlot yaks. Thirty-six 3.5−year−old castrated male yaks (164 ± 8.38 kg) were divided into grazing and feedlot yaks. After 5 months on treatment, liveweight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage were greater in the feedlot than in grazing yaks. The grazing yaks had greater protein content but lesser fat content than feedlot yaks. Principal component analysis (PCA) was able to identify the meat of the two groups to a great extent. Using either partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) or the soft independent modeling of class analogies (SIMCA) classification, the meat could be differentiated between the groups. Both the original and processed spectral data had a high discrimination percentage, especially the PLS-DA classification algorithm, with 100% discrimination in the 400–2500 nm band. The spectral preprocessing methods can improve the discrimination percentage, especially for the SIMCA classification. It was concluded that the method can be employed to identify meat from grazing or feedlot yaks. The unerring consistency across different wavelengths and data treatments highlights the model's robustness and the potential use of NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques for meat classification. PLS-DA's accurate classification model is crucial for the unique evaluation of yak meat in the meat industry, ensuring product traceability and meeting consumer expectations for the authenticity and quality of yak meat raised in different ways.

This article presents data on farming operations traceability and associated performances, for winegrowing systems with low phytosanitary inputs. 343 farms were sampled from the DEPHY network: a governmental initiative to produce references on phytosanitary-efficient cropping systems under real conditions of production. Data were collected every campaign between 2017 and 2020, by multiple extensionists who provide support to the voluntarily enlisted growers, in exchange for traceability of their practices and their commitment to reducing pesticide use. The dataset includes raw data of farming operations (date, machinery, inputs, products and doses, etc.), and performance indicators computed at farm level (Treatment Frequency Index, workload, expenses, greenhouse gas emissions, etc.). This information could be useful to researchers, policymakers and agricultural consultants. It provides leads to understand how winegrowers manage to successfully reduce their pesticide consumption, as well as assessing the triggers and entailments of such transitions.

Soil physical health was affected by several factors including farming systems, and the plant growth and soil productivity were directly affected. The study of soil physical health in different farming systems will help manage soil and water used processes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the paddy field management system on soil physical health status, to identify determinants of soil physical health status, and to formulate appropriate management solutions to improve soil physical health. This study employed descriptive, explorative, and survey approaches with purposive sampling methods in soil sampling. The findings showed that the physical health status of soil on paddy fields in the Tirtomoyo District was classified into moderately healthy and healthy categories. Differences in the management system of paddy fields affect soil physical health. Organically managed rice fields have the highest soil physical health value of 76.69. Semi-organic and inorganically managed paddy fields have lower health values of 71.48 and 69.11, respectively. Soil penetration resistance, soil porosity, and soil texture are determining factors because they can improve indicator conditions and soil physical health values. Efforts can be made to improve soil physical health status by applying organic fertilisers and biochar to paddy fields. Having established the relationship between soil physical health values and rice yield productivity, it is anticipated that farmers and stakeholders will be able to increase crop productivity through improving soil physical condition

A study was conducted on changes in the abundance and diversity of floristic composition in baulks and cultivated agrocenoses in the area of the village of Nowokornino, located on the outskirts of the Białowieża Forest. Within the geodesic area of the village, which covers approximately 1,100 ha, agricultural crops are grown under three farming systems: conventional farming, integrated farming and organic farming. In the study area, there are unique marginal ecosystems in the form of mid-field baulks on which various weed species of ecological importance occur. Three study plots were designated on the baulks, and three plots on field crops Floristic surveys were carried out in 2016, 2020 and 2022. The cover of individual species was estimated according to the 7-level Braun-Blanquette scale. A total of 91 plant species belonging to 6 phytosociological groups were found, with the Stellarietea mediae group having the highest species richness. The significance of differences in floristic richness between study and control plots was tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical analysis showed that the factors differentiating the floristic composition on the baulks were their location within the cultivated agrocenoses, natural soil abundance and interaction with fertiliser factors. The highest species abundance of plants defined as weeds, occurred in fields under the integrated farming system (58 species), the lowest in fields under the conventional system (39 species). The vegetation of the baulks and adjacent arable fields was dominated by plants representing mainly three types of ecological strategies: C, R and C-R.

Vegetables and their products have a low caloric value. Root vegetables are rich in bioactive compounds such flavonoids, polyphenolic acids, carotenoids. It also contains a some percentage of other functional components that can significantly affect human health.In order to achieve a high yield, excessive fertilization with nitrogen fertilizer is performed, which worsens the quality of vegetables. The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact cultivation system on the content of total phenolics and flavonoids, as well as a comparative assessment of their antioxidant activity in selected samples of vegetables. The antioxidant activity was studied using DPPH, and ABTS assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteuand and Aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The highest content of total phenolics was determined for parsley from conventional production (427.38 mg GAE/100 g fresh sample), parsley from organic production the richest source of flavonoids (54.92 mg GAE/100 g fresh sample). Other samples of vegetables from conventional production had a lower flavonoid content compared to organic production. It was confirmed that the antioxidant activity of the analyzed vegetables in the maximum correlation with the content of total phenolics (R2 = 1). Organic samples of vegetables were characterized by a significantly higher content of flavonoids compared to vegetables grown conventionally. Organic production could be a good method to increase the concentration of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties in vegetables.

Despite numerous published literature on the impacts of agriculture on water quality, knowledge gaps persist regarding which farming systems are of most concern for their impact on water quality, which would allow water resource planners to better target water management efforts. Seeking to understand how these relationships vary across different farming systems, we used data on water quality status in watersheds of an agricultural region in southern Portugal and overlaid it with a map of farming systems for the same region provided by a previous study. By intersecting both data layers, we characterized the areal shares of the farming systems in each watershed and inspected how these shares relate to water quality status using logistic regression. The results show that the impact of agriculture on water quality is primarily related to specific farming systems. We believe this type of information can be of significant interest to agricultural planners and policymakers interested in meeting water quality standards, and we conclude this study by suggesting innovative policy options based on payments to farmers operating selected farming systems as a cost-effective way to reconcile agricultural and environmental policy objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many countries have integrated agroforestry into their sustainable development policies, particularly in Southeast Asia. In Timor-Leste, the national strategy to promote agroforestry has adopted a modern, technique-oriented approach focused on crop rotation, intercropping and agro-silvo-pasture. In so doing, it has largely overlooked the pre-existence, diversity and performance of traditional agroforestry systems (AFS). The data collected in seven villages located in four districts of the eastern municipalities of Timor-Leste identified five common AFS: home garden, crop field and fallow, young agroforest, forest garden and silvopastoralism. The combined use of the customary AFS by rural households depends on the households' ability to access the four types of capital (land, financial, labour and social) underpinning their development strategies. Four rural household archetypes were therefore distinguished. Six farming strategies used by these archetypes were identified: cattle specialisation, palm and tree product harvesting, crop intensification, diversification of off-farm and on-farm income, abandonment of farming, and survival. Each of these farming strategies combine certain customary AFS. The diversity and complexity of AFS require a better description of how they function and a better understanding of how they fit into the heterogeneous development strategies of rural households before actions are considered to improve their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baalbeck El Hermel Governorate, particularly the semi-arid region is increasingly threatened by climate change. These disturbances, more specifically, concerning the limit in water resources generate problems for the agricultural systems constituting the principle source of families’ subsistence in this zone. This study was established to evaluate, via a bioeconomic modeling approach, the resilience of agricultural systems in Baalbeck El Hermel and perceive their adaptation techniques under conditions of water scarcity. In this context, we have selected three typical farms representative of the driest northern zone receiving the least precipitation. Several behaviors and levels of resilience of these farms were showed after analysis of the results: 1) farms specializing in market gardening or perennial crops are very sensitive to drought conditions and are not resilient in the face of water limit conditions; 2) the diversified farm with olive tree dominance is less sensitive and more resilient. The analysis of the water pricing scenario showed an improvement in water management but a limit in the adaptive capacity of farmers, hence the necessity to adapt resilience-building strategies for the targeted zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment of integrated farming system (IFS) model comprising of 1.0 ha area was conducted during 2010-11 to 2018-19 at the Centre for Research on Integrated Farming Systems, Sardarkrushinagar, Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar of Gujarat for validation of an IFS model. There were four cropping system and allotted area was 0.70 ha, viz. castor (Ricinus communis L.) + greengram (Vigna radiate (L.) R. Wilczek] (0.32 ha); groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)- wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-multicut fodder pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] (0.08 ha); greengram - Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czemj.]-pearlmillet (0.24 ha); and hybrid napier [Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach)] + fodder cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] - Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) + fodder chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) (0.06 ha) based on small and marginal farm family requirement. N addition to that fruits and vegetable in 2 tiers were sown on 0.25 ha, making microbes-enriched vermin-compost from the waste and dung of the 2 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) reared on 0.04 ha. Farm wastes were recycled within the system which obliterated the need to purchase off-farm inputs. The internal bunds of cropping systems were used for growing fodder, while farm boundary with quick-growing timber tree. The model had a provision of farm pond (0.01 ha) for water harvesting and well recharging on low-lying depression of the farm. Groundnut - wheat - multicut F. Rajka Bajra + Horticultural and Vegetables crops +Live stock+ vermi compost + boundary plantation + farm pond registered significantly higher GEY (8696 kg/ha), which was statistically at par with IFS Model (Castor + Greengram (032 ha) + Groundnut - Wheat -Multicut F. Rijka Bajra (0.08 ha)+ Green gram -Mustard-Pearl millet (0.24 ha)+ Hy. Napier + Cowpea (F) - Lucerne + F. Chicory (0.06 ha)+Horticultural and Vegetables crops (0.25 ha) +Live stock(0.025 ha) + vermi compost (0.010 ha)+ boundary plantation + farm pond (0.015 ha) (7977 kg/ha) registered significantly higher employment generation (476 mandays/year). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and the importance of sustainable intensification (SI) in improving their productivity. Smallholder farming systems, which produce the majority of food in these regions, struggle with issues such as poor soil fertility, limited use of external inputs, and the impacts of climate change. The article emphasizes the significance of SI in achieving the United Nations' sustainable development goals, particularly in terms of reducing poverty, eradicating hunger, and taking action on climate change. It presents research on various aspects of SI, including agroecology techniques, resource efficiency, productivity improvement, and soil fertility management. The text also discusses the role of biological fertilizers, mechanization, solar-based irrigation systems, and farmers' knowledge in enhancing productivity and natural resource management. It acknowledges the challenges of scaling and adopting SI innovations and emphasizes the importance of research, farmer learning, and partnerships. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into how SI can address the food demands of growing populations in these regions. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACTIntegrated farming system (IFS), comprising various enterprises such as crop, horticulture, dairy, poultry and fishery optimally, uses farm resources to suit small and medium farms of India. In this study, 55 IFSs with different sizes and several enterprises were assessed in terms of their environment impact, eco-efficiency and technical efficiency (TE). The households, which own these IFS, were grouped into four major categories based on farm size viz., marginal (2.0 ha). Among the farm size category, the highest eco-efficiency was recorded for marginal farms, whereas the lowest eco-efficiency was observed for small farms. The highest eco-efficiency was recorded for farm having five enterprises (INR195 kg CO2eq. ha−1) followed by four enterprises (INR190 kg CO2eq.ha−1). Among the enterprises, the highest eco-efficiency was recorded in fruits, whereas the lowest eco-efficiency was observed in dairy. The TE scores estimated using stochastic frontier analysis decreased with increasing farm size and the highest TE score was recorded for marginal farms, whereas medium and large farms recorded the lowest TE scores. The findings indicated the necessity for imparting training and demonstrations and funding support as well as subsidy for larger adoption of IFS to reap higher returns.

Family farms are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of climatic variations and changes. In this regard, this paper assessed the factors that influence family farmers' vulnerability to climate variability and change in the transition zone between forest and savannah in the northern part of the Centre Region of Cameroon. The study did this by combining primary data (gathered from a survey of 180 smallholder farmers) with secondary data (information on temperature and rainfall). Field observations were also conducted on these family farms in Mbangassina, Ntui, Batchenga, and Obala from January to March 2020, March to May 2021, and July to September 2021. We used statistical tools for both descriptive, multivariate and inferential analyzes. Small farmers have faced the highest temperatures and heat waves. Everybody living in this community is exposed to the same temperatures and heat waves. Maybe smallholder farmers are susceptible or vulnerable to these heat waves and high temperatures. Extreme droughts, which are becoming more often, and diminishing rainfall totals were assumed to be the key contributors to climate sensitivity. According to the findings, family farms in Obala are just marginally vulnerable to climatic variability and change (1.1 vulnerability score), whereas those in Batchenga, Ntui, and Mbangassina have considerable vulnerability indices (2.16, 2.17, and 2.99 vulnerability scores respectively). A significant noncausal correlation exists between vulnerability and four and five continuous and discontinuous explanatory factors, respectively. The binomial logistic regression model demonstrates statistically significant inverse causal links between five of the six explanatory factors and the sensitivity of family farmers to climate change. According to the model, useful agricultural area (β = −0.348, p

The present study was undertaken in peri-urban panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram city, the state capital of Kerala, India. The objective was to find out the extent of women’s participation in decision making in peri-urban smallholder integrated farming systems and factor influencing their participation. The study utilized ex-post facto research design and data collection was done through interview schedule. The results revealed that the majority of farm women took decisions jointly with other male household members. The extent of women’s participation in decision making was medium. Independent variables such as economic motivation, market orientation, experience in integrated farming systems, social participation, material possession, annual income, and education level were crucial factors in women’s participation in decision making in peri-urban smallholder integrated farming systems.

The contribution of wild pollinators and input-based management practices during production of underutilized crop such as okra are pivotal for enhancing sustainable food production. Information on the beneficial role of insect pollination on okra and soil management practices is scanty, details on their specific response at each location are required to evaluate the potential of these sustainable farming practices. We examined the effects of insect pollination (pollinator-exclusive approach) and soil fertilization (fertilizer application) on okra production, using a factorial experiment arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. The complementary benefits of insect pollination and soil fertilization were evident in yield parameters such as seed weight, fruit nodes and the number of pod/plants. A substantial increase in yield began in trials with 50 % pollination rate under minimal soil fertilization. The increase in okra seed weight was (42 %) and (36 %) higher in optimal fertilized plants with 100 % and 50 % pollination rates than in non-pollinated and unfertilized plants. The similarities in yield observed from optimal fertilized soil with 50 % and 100 % pollination rates, imply that optimal soil fertilization can alleviate the yield reduction in okra due to moderate decline in pollinators exposure. Among the important okra pollinators were bees, flies, wasps, beetles and lepidopterans. Bees provided most pollination services, while other wild pollinator groups made less frequent but still give significant contributions. Thus, yield maximization requires an improvement in both agroecosystem services and soil management practices. Adequate pollinator visitation improves okra productivity in high insect-pollinated cropping systems.

As a large proportion of land is managed by professional family farms, agent-based models are of interest for simulating agricultural land use. This requires a deep understanding of the farm characteristics that influence land use decisions. We developed a methodology to identify a data-driven farm typology by combining participatory methods, multivariate statistical modeling and spatiotemporal parcel-based land cover analysis between 2000 and 2020. A formal questionnaire provided data on the farm characteristics, which were subjected to principal component analysis and k-means clustering. The resulting data-driven typology complemented a production-based approach to understanding land use decisions. The main influencing factors were farm size, share of private land, dominant crops and participation in European schemes such as NATURA2000 and agri-environment-climate measures. Overall, family tradition and a high return on investment were the most important motivations for maintaining current land use practices, while a higher income, income support and diversification were the most important reasons for pursuing new land use options. Differences between the farm characteristics highlighted the importance of the motivations for land use decisions between the farm types. This methodology can be used to generate data-driven typologies suitable for implementing agent-based models to explore sustainable land management options in a changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of organic farming on biodiversity has been widely documented especially for plants, arthropods and birds; however, the effects of the transition period required to become an organic farm on wildlife remain poorly understood.We assessed the effects of organic farming on insectivorous bats in citrus orchards in the Republic of Cyprus employing two matched designs (conventional vs. 3‐year organic‐transitional and conventional vs. organic‐certified) and a third unmatched design (3‐year organic‐transitional vs. organic‐certified). We specifically investigated whether the transition period prior to full organic certification influenced bat activity with a special focus on any moderation effects from surrounding semi‐natural areas.The activity of three (Pipistrellus kuhlii, Hypsugo savii and Miniopterus schreibersii) of four bat species was significantly lower in farms undergoing the transitional period than in conventional farms, and P. kuhlii and H. savii were significantly less active in organic transitional farming systems that in organic‐certified ones. Furthermore, the activity of the most dominant species (P. kuhlii) was significantly higher on organic than transitional and conventional citrus orchards, thus suggesting a time‐lag effect. Landscape complexity measured as the amount of semi‐natural areas did not moderate the effects of farming system for any study species.Synthesis and application. The transition to organic farming had persistent detrimental effects on bats and potentially on the pest suppression services they provide. Future agri‐environmental policy should consider the transition period and implement measures to mitigate any negative effects on biodiversity, alongside promoting asynchronous transition of nearby farms. Our findings further highlight the crucial need to consider the time since transition to organic farming when assessing potential benefits of organic management on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]