Rice cultivation in Rosso, Mauritania, a critical agricultural hub along the Senegal River, is threatened by diseases such as rice blast, bacterial leaf blight, and sheath blight, exacerbated by climate variability and limited ground monitoring. This study develops a novel deep learning (DL) framework for early disease detection and prediction using multi-source satellite imagery to enhance crop health management in resource-constrained regions. Using Google Earth Engine, we analyzed Sentinel-1 (SAR), Sentinel-2 (10m resolution), and Landsat 8/9 (30m) imagery from January to August 2025, identifying May–June as optimal for vegetation indices due to peak rice growth. Thirteen indices (NDVI, SAVI, NDWI, GNDVI, NDRE, MCARI, EVI, VARI, ARVI, MSI, NBR, CIgreen, CIrededge) were computed, and TIFF images were exported and labeled in QGIS for rice vs. non-rice classification. DeepLabV3 and U-Net++ models achieved 95% accuracy in segmenting rice fields. Pre-trained ResNet and MobileNet models classified disease types using indices and ~300 geo-referenced samples from public datasets (e.g., PlantVillage). An LSTM model forecasted disease risk with >85% accuracy. Strong correlations (Pearson r > 0.78) between DL predictions and indices, enhanced by SAR’s rainy-season capability, enabled precise disease hotspot mapping. This proof-of-concept integrates open-source DL and satellite data, offering scalable solutions for West African rice farming. Future work should focus on field validation and the development of farmer-accessible mobile tools.

Conventional agricultural practices such as intensive tillage and monoculture have accelerated soil degradation and reduced fertility in South Africa’s grain-producing regions, thereby constraining crop yields. Conservation agriculture (CA), which integrates reduced tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping, is promoted to restore soil fertility by improving nutrient cycling. However, the mechanisms through which CA influences soil nutrient dynamics in semi-arid environments remain poorly understood. This study evaluated short-term nutrient responses to CA after three years of implementation at the Kenilworth Experimental Farm, Bloemfontein, South Africa. A randomised split-plot design was established with tillage (conventional vs. no-till) as main plots and cropping systems (maize monoculture, fallow–cereal rotation, maize–cover crop rotation, and legume–cover crop rotation) as subplots, replicated three times. Composite soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected at crop maturity and analyzed for phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn). Significant interactions between tillage and cropping systems were observed. No-till combined with a wheat–fallow rotation decreased Mn content by 24% compared to conventional tillage and wheat–fallow–maize systems, due to declines in effective cation exchange capacity. Compared to conventional tillage and maize monoculture systems, no-till maize monoculture increased Cu content by 22%, associated with elevated soil pH. Compared with maize monoculture, the maize–cover crop system decreased available P by 27%, likely due to P immobilisation in cover crop biomass. Overall, the results demonstrate that short-term adoption of CA in semi-arid regions generates divergent nutrient responses: some practices enhance micronutrient availability, while others constrain macronutrient supply. These findings highlight the complexity of nutrient cycling under CA and emphasise the need for system-specific nutrient management. The study provides mechanistic insights to refine CA practices for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity in semi-arid South Africa.

Olive growing plays an important socioeconomic role in Mediterranean agriculture, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula (IP), where rainfed systems are increasingly vulnerable to drought under climate change. This study investigates the spatial and temporal responses of olive orchards to drought in two traditional production regions: the Trás-os-Montes (TM) agrarian region in Portugal and the Badajoz (BA) province in Spain. Satellite-based multispectral data were used to compute vegetation indices from the Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 dataset (HLSL30), specifically the Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), which were analysed over the 2015–2023 period. Drought intensity was assessed using the Mediterranean Palmer Drought Severity Index (MedPDSI), specifically adapted for olive ecosystems. Correlation and lag analyses were performed to explore drought–vegetation relationships and temporal responses.
Results revealed regional differences, with the BA region experiencing more intense and prolonged drought episodes, stronger negative correlations between MedPDSI and vegetation indices (r = −0.72, p < 0.05), and a lagged vegetation response of approximately 2 months. On the other hand, the TM region showed milder drought conditions and a more stable vegetation response, suggesting slightly higher resilience. Both SAVI and NDMI detected vegetation stress during the severe drought years of 2017 and 2022, confirming their sensitivity to variations in soil moisture and canopy greenness.
This approach demonstrates the potential of combining satellite-based vegetation indices with drought indicators to monitor stress in perennial crops. Although spatial resolution and cloud cover may introduce some uncertainty for constant real-time monitoring, the results provide valuable perspectives for early drought detection and adaptive water management. The proposed framework supports the development of sustainable strategies to improve the resilience and productivity of olive orchards in Mediterranean environments.

Water scarcity severely limits crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, highlighting the need for innovative soil management strategies to enhance plant performance and maintain soil health under limited water. However, field-based evidence combining mineral-rich by-products with biodegradable organic amendments remains limited, especially in cereal systems under drought stress. A two-year field experiment (S1 and S2) was conducted using a randomized design with three replicates per treatment, each plot covering 1.2 m². Five treatments were evaluated: Control (T^-), recommended NPK, steel slag (S, 700 kg ha^-1), green waste compost (OA, 4000 kg ha^-1), and their combination (S_OA), under well-watered (100% ETc) and drought stress (30% ETc) conditions. Application rates were previously optimized in greenhouse trials. Compost, derived from plant residues, contained 20% organic carbon, 700 ppm available phosphorus, 1.5% total nitrogen, and 0.5% potassium, while steel slag from a Moroccan steel industry contained 0.37% P₂O₅, 30.6% CaO, and 8% SiO₂. A two-way ANOVA was used to assess treatment effects. Under drought, the combined application (S_OA) significantly improved soil fertility, increasing organic matter (by 183% in S1 and 111% in S2), total nitrogen (by 69% in S1 and 96% in S2), and available phosphorus (by 103% in S1 and 94% in S2) compared with the control. Durum wheat exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, with higher photosynthetic efficiency (+5.13% in 2023 and +4.78% in 2024), relative water content (+24% in S1 and +27% in S2), and grain yield (+68% in S1 and +59% in S2). Grain protein and nitrogen contents increased by 51% and 35% in S1 and 42% and 35% in S2, respectively. Heavy metal analysis in grains showed no significant differences between untreated and treated plants, confirming the environmental safety of the amendment. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to evaluate long-term metal accumulation in soil and economic feasibility at larger scales.

To strengthen the positive role of agriculture in ecosystems, Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been developed to enhance sustainability through water conservation, reduced pesticide use, and crop diversification. Among them, alley cropping systems—the deliberate association of annual crops with rows of perennial woody species—have emerged as a promising alternative to intensive monocultures, with the potential to improve both soil health and crop performance.

This study evaluated the agronomic and economic viability of alley cropping applied to lemon cultivation (Citrus × limon, cv. Fino) in the Region of Murcia, Spain. Two complementary approaches were adopted: (i) surveys with farmers and consumers to assess their willingness to support sustainable practices despite potential additional costs, and (ii) a ten-month field experiment comparing two treatments: lemon trees bordered with Mediterranean aromatic plants (Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lavandula dentata L.) versus a control without aromatics, both using black plastic mulch.

The aromatic alley cropping system significantly improved soil moisture and mineral content, enhanced photosynthesis and vegetative growth, and increased yield. Notably, it advanced the first lemon harvest by one month, enabling earlier access to high-value markets.

In conclusion, integrating aromatic plants into citrus orchards through alley cropping proved to be agronomically beneficial, economically viable, and environmentally sound. Beyond the local context, this strategy represents a scalable approach to foster climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.

Conservation Agriculture (CA) has achieved global recognition as a sustainable land-use concept grounded in three basic principles: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and planting diversity. Its global expansion is a response to concerns with soil degradation, tillage erosion, climate change, and food insecurity, and in 2019, CA was adopted on more than 205 million hectares overall. In North America, the United States championed the expression of CA due to the Dust Bowl crisis and made soil conservation a federal commitment. Today, the United States still leads the way in no-till systems, cover crops, and precision agriculture through ongoing federal research and policy initiatives. South America also implemented CA on a large scale in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, which has impacted their soybean-maize systems, reducing erosion and contributing to soil carbon. In Africa, South Africa and Morocco have also incorporated and adapted CA to local conditions to improve drought resistance and increase the stability of production through their cereal systems. In Asia, a zero-till wheat production system in India has expanded productivity and resource-use efficiency through government and international collaboration. In Australia, CA innovations in machinery and water management have sustained yields in systems during drought years, with lower input costs. Europe (Spain, France) has also more closely integrated CA with agroecological goals and soil carbon, with CA being more widely discussed and further positioned into climate-smart farming. Despite its proven benefits, CA adoption remains constrained by technical, socio-economic, and policy barriers. Overcoming these requires integrated strategies—financial incentives, adaptive extension services, and stronger alignment with agroecology and circular economy principles. CA thus represents a scalable, climate-resilient pathway to sustainable, regenerative food systems worldwide.

Diflufenican is a widely used herbicide characterized by extreme environmental persistence, with a DT₉₀ of up to 1900 days. Its accumulation in agricultural soils poses ecological risks and requires the development of efficient bioremediation strategies. While microbial degradation is a promising approach, no previous studies have demonstrated the potential for diflufenican removal using soil bacterial isolates.

Agricultural soil from a diflufenican-treated field in Poland was screened for degradative microorganisms using enrichment culture techniques in mineral salt medium (MSM) supplemented with the herbicide. Four isolates with the highest biodegradation potential were identified via 16S rRNA sequencing as Pseudomonas sp. 10Kp8 - A1, Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens B19 - A2, Pseudomonas baetica JZY4-9 - C1, and Streptomyces atratus ROA017 - D1. Biodegradation efficiency was assessed in MSM and sterile horticultural soil, comparing individual strains with a quadruple consortium. Herbicide residues and selected diflufenican metabolites were quantified by GC-MS/MS.

In MSM, the D1 strain achieved 70% degradation after 21 days, while the consortium reached 74%. In soil, D1 removed 79% of herbicide and the consortium 82% within 28 days. The metabolite, 2-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy) nicotinic acid, was detected in all MSM and soil samples analyzed.

This study presents the first evidence of diflufenican biodegradation by bacteria, highlighting both the D1 strain and a consortium as promising candidates for bioremediation. The superior performance of the consortium suggests synergistic interactions enhance degradation. Given their safety profile and the existing agricultural uses of related strains, these isolates have strong potential for integration into sustainable soil remediation practices.

Mozambique, especially the coastal Zambézia Province, faces serious challenges from climate change, soil degradation, food insecurity, and rural poverty. ICEI has promoted Successional Agroforestry Systems (SAFS) as a sustainable solution to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and improve food security.
This case study, conducted within the three-year Ethaka project (2023–2025), assesses the potential of SAFS to strengthen sustainable food systems in eight rural communities across Maganja da Costa and Namacurra districts. It focuses on the impacts on food security, women’s livelihoods, agrobiodiversity, and soil quality.
The SAFS model is based on a holistic, science-informed, and community-led approach. Key components include soil restoration, multi-layered cropping for year-round food availability, high-frequency yields (3–4 harvests per year), integrated livelihoods (e.g., beekeeping and fish farming), strong community involvement, local knowledge transfer, and continuous training through Farmer Field Schools. Nutrition education complemented the agricultural interventions.
The findings reveal strong improvements across all indicators. Women’s dietary diversity (MDD-W) increased significantly—from 8% to 23% in Zambézia and up to 43% in Maganja da Costa. Severe child malnutrition was eliminated, and crop diversity rose from 13–15 to 20–26 species per farm. Average crop yields increased by 16% in Namacurra and 87% in Maganja da Costa. Women’s income grew by over 120%. Soil fertility improved with pH levels moving closer to neutral, higher organic matter, and better moisture and nutrient retention.
The study concludes that SAFS offer a technically sound, regenerative, and socially inclusive model that is scalable for building resilient food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. SAFS contribute meaningfully to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). Long-term success will require supportive policies, investment in capacity building, and integration into national agricultural strategies.

Hydroponic systems (soilless plant cultivation) offer a more sustainable solution to many environmental and resource problems, such as salinity, water scarcity, rising fertilizer and pesticide costs, environmental pollution, and soil degradation. Salinity problems affect several physiological, morphological, and biochemical processes in plants, reducing water availability, nutrient uptake, and crop yield. The agricultural sector has taken notice of nanotechnology and nanobubbles, and many important investments have been made to optimize crop yields and eliminate salinity problems. The study took place in the Greenhouse Laboratory of Perrotis College, Thessaloniki, Greece, using three hydroponic substrates (coconut fiber, hydroponic perlite, and Grodan Rockwool), in which two lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties (red oak and Romaine) were grown in 10 different sections. Moreover, the main treatments consisted of five sections utilizing a range of saline irrigation water (E.C.i: 1, 4, 8, 10, and 12 dS/m, replicated three times across substrates), enhanced with Nanobubbles through the use of two innovative electronic devices [MAXGROW (MG) + Agro-NanoBubbles (Agro-NBs)] generator. Additionally, there were another five sections of non-treated saline irrigation water (E.C.i: 1, 4, 8, 10, and 12 dS/m, replicated three times across substrates). The goal of this experiment is to examine the results of the influence of Nanobubbles with the use of two innovative electronic devices on various vegetable agronomic traits (weight and height), plant tissue analysis (macro and micro-nutrients), quality parameters (NDVI, Chlorophyll, etc.), used in high range salinity levels for two lettuce varieties. In addition, environmental conditions inside the greenhouse were recorded [CO2, Temperature (oC), humidity (%), and PAR]. The results showed that red oak and cos lettuce biomass enriched with Nanobubbles were statistically significant and increased (126 % and 38%) at high salinity (10 dS/m), compared to non-treated saline irrigation water. In conclusion, coconut fiber has shown the highest yield among the others.

Interest in the ecological and nutritional significance of halophytes has led researchers to explore their cultivation under different salinity levels. To assess the potential and adaptive strategies of halophytes in the Amaranthaceae family, hydroponic cultivation provides an effective method for growing these plants as alternative crops in a controlled environment. This study aimed to examine the effect of hydroponic solution salinity (0, 150, and 300 mM NaCl) on the growth responses of three Amaranthaceae halophytes, including A. lividus, A. passion, and A. red Aztec, and their suitability for cultivation in controlled environments. The environmental conditions, Blue/Red/Far-Red LED spectrum at 22:65:13, an intensity of 250 µmol m^-²s^-¹, and a temperature of 18/22±2°C, were maintained in a walk-in growth chamber throughout the experiment. A strong negative correlation between hydroponic solution salinity and survival rate, height, fresh weight, root length, leaf area, and antioxidant activity in all tested Amaranthaceae species was detected, except for a strong positive correlation between salinity and total phenolic compounds in A. passion. Based on survival rate, shoot and root biomass, and an antioxidant assay, the hydroponic solution salinity of 150 mM NaCl seems to be the salt tolerance level for the tested Amaranthaceae halophytes. However, further investigations of osmotically active metabolites, specific proteins, and scavenging of oxygen radicals under salt stress conditions are needed.