Vegetables preservation, including tomatoes, is challenging with limited available preservative means during postharvest storage. Gaseous ozone, as a substitute postharvest sanitizer, was evaluated for its effectiveness on tomato storage. Fruits were subjected to ozone enrichment (0, 0.2, and 1.5 ppm) for 2 or 6 h at 13 °C and 95 % relative humidity, and then they were stored in clean air up to 8 days. Control treatment was considered storage in clean air, without (0 ppm) ozone. Increased ozone levels resulted in increased fruit respiration rates, ripening, and lipid peroxidation, indicating oxidative stress responses. The application of ozone triggered ascorbic acid content (up to 53.3 %) while the highest ozone dose of 1.5 ppm for 6 h maintained fruit firmness (up to 16.3 %) and resulted in increased weight loss as compared to control. Ozone application of 1.5 ppm for 2 h revealed the highest lycopene (1.3 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (0.69 mg/100 g) content compared to the control (non-ozonated) fruit. Ozone treatments did not affect fruit aroma, appearance, marketability, colour indices, total soluble solids and total phenols. Fruits exposed to low ozone doses (concentration and time duration), maintained and/or improved quality indices, especially antioxidant content. Short time ozone application may trigger fruit metabolism and stimulate antioxidant reactions to deal with the oxidative stress challenge.
The aim of this study is to examine the determinants of livelihood strategy choices, encompassing on-farm, off-farm, non-farm, and combined strategies among 576 households in Central Vietnam. Using a multinomial logit model, the research analyses how demographic, socioeconomic, and spatial variables influenced household livelihood selection decision-making during COVID-19. The household head’s age, gender, education, household size, savings, memberships, COVID-19 support, health condition, access to credit, distance to the market, landholding, lockdown, urban, and regional areas were found to be the significant determinants of selecting livelihood strategies. Education and savings emerged as robust predictors for diversifying into the non-farm strategy. Female-headed households showed a higher propensity for the diversification strategy, reflecting a resilient gender-agility response to the pandemic. Access to credit fostered on-farm specialisation rather than diversification, suggesting that existing credit services may tether households to agricultural production. The household’s location features underscore that proximity to markets and urban centres significantly enhanced non-farm transitions, while households in lockdown areas proactively adopted non-farm activities. Designing and implementing policy interventions for households should prioritise trainings, flexible credit access for non-farm households, and rural-urban connectivity to strengthen social safety systems and promote the sustainable livelihood of populations against future shocks like the pandemic.
Institutional capacity is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of agricultural performance in smallholder systems. However, its interaction with resource access and technology adoption remains insufficiently understood. This study aims to analyze the role of farmer institutions in the success of rice farming in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The study was conducted using a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach involving 406 randomly selected farmer respondents. The latent variables in this research include Organizational Management, Social Solidarity, Financial Support, Access to Agricultural Production Inputs, Access to Information and Training, Technology Adoption, and Farming Success. The results show that farmer institutions play a significant role in enhancing access to agricultural inputs and information, ultimately strengthening the capacity for technology adoption and farming success. Access to production inputs is the most dominant factor directly affecting farming success as well as indirectly through technology adoption as a mediating variable. Meanwhile, organizational management and social solidarity contribute greatly to the effectiveness of institutions, while financial support requires more adaptive governance to have an optimal impact. These findings assert that farmer institutions serve as the main driver in the integration of economic, social, and technological innovation to realize the sustainability of the rice farming system.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains produce a variety of Cry proteins with nematicidal properties. Among these, Cry5B has shown toxicity against plant-parasitic nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne. In this study, the potential of a Bt strain producing Cry5B to colonize cucumber plants and suppress the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica infestation was evaluated. The strain was applied by irrigation as a suspension of spores and crystals to cucumber seedlings. Bt was subsequently detected after plating extracts of surface-sterilized roots, cotyledons, stems, and leaves, demonstrating systemic movement and stable endophytic colonization for at least eight weeks, although Bt concentrations in leaves decreased progressively toward the most distal parts of the plant. The presence of vegetative cells in all tissues (assessed by comparing the CFU obtained from plant extracts before and after heat-shock treatments) further supported the ability of the strain to grow endophytically within cucumber. Bt-treated plants irrigated once or twice with 1 × 1010 spores and crystals challenged with 350 M. javanica juveniles failed to reduce nematode infection or reproduction. The number of egg masses and emerging J2 per plant were similar to those observed in plants irrigated with the Cry5B-deficient Bt strain. These results indicate that, although Cry5B displays potent nematicidal activity in vitro, endophytic colonization of cucumber plants by the applied producing strain did not confer effective protection against M. javanica under the experimental conditions tested. Understanding the factors that limit the in planta efficacy of Bt may help guide the development of more consistent Bt-based biological control strategies against plant-parasitic nematodes.
The increasing demand for aquafeed ingredients and the accumulation of fishery processing waste have raised major sustainability concerns in aquaculture. Valorization of fishery by-products into feed ingredients represents a promising strategy to reduce environmental impacts. This study evaluated the potential of anchovy by-products meal (ABPM), derived from anchovy processing waste, as a partial replacement for fishmeal (FM) in the diet of juvenile hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂). The biochemical compositions of ABPM, including proximate composition, amino acid profile, fatty acid profile, and mineral composition, were analyzed and compared with FM and soybean meal (SBM). Three isoproteic (50 % crude protein) and isolipidic (12 % crude lipid) diets were formulated: FM100 (100 % FM protein), FMSBM (30 % FM protein replaced with SBM), and FMABPM (30 % FM protein replaced with ABPM). Juvenile hybrid grouper (initial body weight: 16.50 ± 0.05 g) were fed the experimental diets for eight weeks. Biochemical analyses showed that ABPM contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) crude protein and lipid contents than SBM, although lower than FM. Its amino acid and fatty acid profiles were also generally superior to SBM, particularly in essential amino acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fish fed the FMABPM diet exhibited comparable growth performance, feed utilization, body condition, and whole-body composition to those fed FM100. These findings indicate that replacing 30 % of FM protein with ABPM protein is feasible without compromising fish performance and health. The reutilization of anchovy by-products into aquafeed ingredients could support sustainable local aquaculture and promote circular economy practices through resource recovery.
This study evaluates the potential impacts of warmer temperature conditions on apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) production and fruit quality, with particular emphasis on whether key commercial traits decline under heat stress. Warmer temperature conditions were simulated in a commercial orchard by covering individual trees with a thin, transparent polyethylene film. We examined the effect of cover timing (early cover, late cover, and uncovered control) on leaf photosynthesis, yield, and a range of fruit quality traits in the cultivar ‘LadyCot’. From fruit set to harvest, the plastic cover increased daily mean and maximum temperatures by approximately 1.7 °C and 3.9 °C, respectively, with more than twice hours above 30 °C compared to the control. Elevated temperatures did not accelerate ripening and control fruits matured 3–4 days earlier than those grown under the plastic cover. Plastic-covered trees produced smaller fruits (around 55 g) compared with the control (67.9 g), suggesting that heat stress reduced cell division and expansion. Several fruit quality parameters were also affected. Fruits under plastic cover were firmer, had lower soluble solids content, and developed less intense external coloration, while flesh colour remained unaffected. Overall, the results indicate that although short-term plastic cover can enhance early-season photosynthetic activity, prolonged exposure under warm conditions reduces fruit size and compromises fruit quality, therefore limiting its potential benefits, particularly for late-ripening cultivars. These preliminary findings suggest that projected temperature increases under future climate scenarios may pose a significant risk to apricot yield and quality in warm growing regions, highlighting the need for further research.
This study investigates the long-term relationship between urbanization, rice land change, and rice production dynamics across socio-economic regions in Vietnam during the period 1995–2020. The study employs a provincial-level panel dataset of 1,638 observations, combining agricultural statistics from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam and land-use data derived from the JAXA land-cover dataset. Spatial-temporal analysis shows that rice land decline is concentrated in rapidly urbanizing and industrializing regions, particularly in the Red River Delta and the Southeast region. In contrast the Mekong Delta maintained relatively stable rice land areas for most of the study period. Fixed-effects regression results indicate that rice land area is positively associated with rice production, whereas urbanization is negatively associated with both rice production (β = −0.084) and rice yield (β = −0.054). The interaction models further suggest that the impacts of urbanization vary across socio-economic regions. The production dynamics in the Central Highlands and the yield dynamics in the Northern Midlands and Mountains differ from those observed in the Mekong Delta, reflecting regional differences in development trajectories an agricultural structure. The study provides long-term provincial-level evidence on the interactions between urbanization, rice land conversion, and rice production in Vietnam. The findings suggest that rice land management policies should move beyond a uniform protection approach toward more regionally differentiated strategies to better balance urban development and agricultural production.
This study involves the influence of farmers’ awareness and stakeholders on the rainfed rice farming policies that deal with climate resilience in Central Java and Yogyakarta. The rainfed rice farming systems are very climate-sensitive as they are dependent on seasonal rainfall and have no means of regulated irrigation. The study used the descriptive qualitative approach by collecting data from 22 key stakeholders and 300 respondents (agricultural officials, extension workers, farmer group leaders, and farmers). QDA Miner Lite was used for data analysis to the perceptions, adaptation strategies, and interactions of stakeholders and farmers. The study found that farmers view climate change as a problem that introduces uncertainty to the growing season. The level of awareness of farmers is attributed to their level of education, farming experience, and social participation. Stakeholders are vital in policy development, training, and provision of information, though their roles are constrained by budgetary limitations, poorly developed information systems, and duplication of functions and roles in the organizations. The currently existing policies are demand driven and look at the short term and include provision of subsidized fertilizers, training, and provision of farming equipment. On the other hand, the policies that seek to support marketing and those that address climate change with a view to ensuring the community survives are weak. The study hereby advocates for the integration of production, marketing, and climate change adaptive policies for rainfed rice farming to be sustainable in Indonesia. The findings reveal a structural imbalance between production-oriented policies and weak marketing support, which limits the overall effectiveness of the policy.
Critical high rates of mortality caused by the dynamic nature of aquatic pathogens have made the traditional control methods ineffective, thus presenting an alarming issue in the quest to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. The establishment of long-lasting food security programs prompts the need to transition to eco-friendly technologies like genetic resistance achieved through the deployment of genetic research findings. This article offers an extensive framework with a primary emphasis on economically significant teleost fish and crustacean species to ensure the implementation of high-throughput technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) as well as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) through the application of contemporary breeding programs like Genomic Selection (GS). The capability of the burgeoning genome editing tool like the application of the CRISPR-Cas9 system is similarly offered alongside the limitations of the tool in the quest to efficiently develop resistant stocks while addressing the requirements of economic feasibility, biosafety, as well as the principles of genetics. By synthesizing these advanced molecular tools, this review provides a strategic roadmap for enhancing disease resistance, thereby ensuring the industrial resilience of global aquaculture.
Smallholders in Indonesia’s horticultural sector face constraints in accessing high-value markets due to limited bargaining power. This study analyses the determinants of farmers’ governance choices in potato supply chains, focusing on spot markets, contract farming, and cooperative arrangements. Using a multivariate probit model and survey data from 309 potato farmers in two major production regions, the study examines the interdependence of governance decisions. The results show that governance choices are statistically interrelated and largely substitutive, indicating that multi-governance exists only in a limited and transitional form. Experienced farmers and those facing high negotiation costs tend to rely on spot markets. Contract participation is more common among older, risk-tolerant farmers with larger farm sizes and stronger institutional support, while cooperative participation is associated with risk aversion, human asset specificity, and trust. These findings underline the importance of transaction costs and institutional conditions in shaping governance decisions.
Allelopathy is a process where plants release bioactive compounds that affect other organisms both inhibitory and stimulatory. These compounds enter soil through exudation, dissolution, volatilization and decomposition of plant residue. Allelochemical then interact with soil component including microbes thus affects their phytotoxic dynamic. Through a comprehensive narrative review, this study aims to synthesize role of microbes in mediation allelochemical compounds in soil, especially its implication on pedogenic processes and agricultural landscapes. Allelochemicals act as selective agent which are create structure and functional diversity of soil microbe. These condition influence metabolism of soil microbe which regulate allelochemical activity. At the first stage, soil chemical characteristics modulate allelochemical activity then soil particle stabilize aggregate, increasing ion adsorption and bioavailability. In process of soil eluviation-illuviation, sand layer on top soil accelerate movement and volatilization. Meanwhile, the lower layer which is rich in clay particles can make longer their activity. This vertical reciprocal relationship link allelopathy to pedogenic process and soil fertility. In landscape of agriculture, these interaction has consequence to soil productivity and ecosystems stability. Dynamics of plant disease where spread through soil, autotoxicity and weed suppression also include in allelochemical dynamic. Negative effects of allelochemical can be reduced through simple agricultural practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, adding organic amendment as well as inoculant microbe.
This study aimed to determine the optimal foliar application concentrations of calcium nitrate in combination with magnesium sulfate during the fruit development stage in relation to physiological disorders in 7-year-old Musang King durian. The experiment was arranged in a two-factor randomized completely block design. The first factor consisted of four Ca(NO3)2 concentrations (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 %), applied at 40 DAFS, while the second factor included four MgSO4 concentrations (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 %), applied at 50 DAFS. Each treatment was replicated four times, with one tree per replication. Fruit weight (2.163 g), yield (90.4 kg tree−1), fruit quality (total sugar, starch, total soluble solids, moisture content, °Brix, ΔE and b), and the incidence of physiological disorders were evaluated. The results showed that the combined foliar application of Ca(NO3)2 and MgSO4 significantly affected fruit weight, yield, and quality of Musang King durian. The occurrence of hardened pulp and discoloration, with hardened pulp reaching a maximum incidence of 8.1 %. The control treatment (without Ca(NO3)2 and MgSO4 application) resulted in a higher incidence of physiological disorders. Foliar spraying with Ca(NO3)2 in combination with MgSO4 increased fruit yield by 8.2–11.7 % compared to the control. In conclusion, foliar application of Ca(NO3)2 at a concentration of 0.4 % combined with MgSO4 at 0.2–0.4 % is recommended for 7-year-old Musang King durian trees to enhance yield and reduce the occurrence of physiological disorders during fruit development.
Sustainability assessment of smallholder farming systems is increasingly important to ensure balanced economic viability, social well-being, and environmental integrity, particularly in island regions that face unique structural and ecological constraints. This study aims to analyze (1) the characteristics of smallholder coconut farmers and farming systems, (2) the sustainability performance of coconut farming across ecological, economic, socio-cultural, technological, and institutional dimensions, and (3) the key determining factors influencing sustainability performance in Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia. A survey was conducted involving 152 coconut farmers across 11 villages in three major coconut-producing sub-districts. Sustainability assessment was performed using a modified Rapfish approach (Rapcoconut) based on Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), complemented by leverage analysis and Monte Carlo simulation for sensitivity testing and validation. The results indicate that the economic and socio-cultural dimensions are moderately sustainable, while the ecological and technological dimensions are less sustainable. The institutional dimension exhibits a critical condition, classified as unsustainable. Leverage analysis identifies coconut marketing systems, fertilizer use, community perception, use of improved planting materials, and farmer group participation as the most sensitive attributes influencing sustainability performance across dimensions. Monte Carlo analysis confirms the stability and robustness of the MDS configuration. Overall, the findings highlight that improving institutional support, strengthening farmer organizations, enhancing technology adoption, and promoting environmentally sound management practices are essential to enhance the sustainability of smallholder coconut farming in island regions. This study provides empirical evidence to support policy formulation and strategic interventions for sustainable coconut agribusiness development in archipelagic contexts.
This study investigated the microbiological and sensory effects of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) oils on frozen-thawed sea bream (Sparus aurata) during refrigerated storage. Fish were frozen at -20 degrees C for one month and subsequently thawed at 4 degrees C for 24 h prior to processing. After thawing, the fish were eviscerated and treated with different volumes of coriander and thyme oils. Treated samples were stored at 4 degrees C for 12 days, and both sensory and microbiological analyses were performed at one-day intervals using the pour plate method to monitor changes in microbial quality throughout storage. Among the treatments, thyme oil at 1.0 mL showed the strongest inhibitory potential, significantly reducing the total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) count. The lowest TMAB count (1.7254 log CFU/g) was observed on day 1. Although TMAB count increased progressively during refrigerated storage, essential oil treatments generally delayed microbial growth and extended the shelf-life of the fish compared with the untreated control. The control group and the treatment with 0.5 mL coriander oil (group 1) exceeded the microbiological consumption limit for TMAB (7.0 log CFU/g) on day 5. In comparison, treatments with 0.5 mL thyme oil (group 2) and 1.0 mL coriander oil (group 3) reached this limit on day 7. Meanwhile, samples treated with 1.0 mL thyme oil (group 4), 0.5 mL coriander + 1.0 mL thyme (group 5), and 1.0 mL coriander + 0.5 mL thyme (group 6) exceeded the limit on day 9. Statistical analysis indicated that thyme oil concentration, storage time, and their interaction significantly influenced microbial load (p < 0.05). The developed models demonstrated strong predictive capability, with adjusted R-2 values of 95.71 % for TMAB and 93.85 % for psychrophilic bacteria (PB) count, providing a reliable framework for predicting shelf-life extension in treated sea bream during refrigerated storage.
A study was conducted at the University of Dschang's Application and Research Farm to evaluate the impact of three types of tillage combined with sole and intercropped systems on maize production and soil properties. The study factors were the type of tillage (zero, minimum, and conventional) and the cropping system under plant cover (intercropping of maize - Bracharia ruziziensis, maize + Arachis glabrata and sole maize, B. ruziziensis, A. glabrata crops). A randomized complete block design with a split-splot arrangement was used. Multiple linear regression model, correlations between soil properties and yield, and comparison of means using Tukey's test were carried out. Minimum tillage + intercropping with A. glabrata produces the highest maize yield. Intercropping with B. ruziziensis enhances maize growth. Zero/minimum tillage provides the best maize yield overall. No-tillage and minimum tillage systems combined with A. glabrata or B. ruziziensis increase nitrogen, increase organic carbon, increase CEC, improve the C/N ratio, and increase available phosphorus. Minimum tillage & no tillage are the most effective. Which maize-based cropping system is superior (intercropping with A. glabrata or B. ruziziensis). Which combination gives the best results (minimum tillage + A. glabrata is the best system for yield). Maize performance improves (growth & yield) and soil properties improve (nutrients, C, CEC, etc.). Based on these results, zero/minimum tillages and maize intercropping with A. glabrata/B. ruziziensis can solve the maize production problem and improve the physico-chemical properties of the soil.
Biofloc technology (BFT) relies on EPS-producing heterotrophic bacteria to initiate biofloc aggregation, improving nutrient recycling and microbial stability in aquaculture systems. However, commercial starter cultures may perform inconsistently under local conditions, and information on indigenous EPS-forming bacteria remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to identify indigenous EPS-producing bacteria from shrimp pond sediments with potential as candidate biofloc starter isolates. Heterotrophic bacteria isolated and purified from pond sediments were screened for EPS production using a microtiter-plate assay and subsequently evaluated for biofloc formation in a laboratory-scale jar assay with a 450 mL working volume for 7 days. High-performing isolates were then identified using morphological and biochemical analyses. Three isolates, B1, B3, and B4, showed EPS production and successfully induced biofloc formation. Among these isolates, B4 showed superior performance by initiating floc formation within four days, producing the largest flocs, 889 & micro;m, the highest floc volume, 245 mL L-& sup1;, and the richest microscopically observed floc-associated assemblage. Under the conditions of this short-term laboratory screening assay, Bacillus sp. B4 represents a promising indigenous candidate for further biofloc starter development. However, this isolate requires molecular identification and validation in longer-term tank- or pond-scale trials with shrimp.
In sub-Saharan Africa, projected climate change is expected to reduce rice productivity as a result of excessive light exposure and prolonged flooded conditions that favor soil iron reduction and accumulation. Excess iron (Fe), which commonly accumulates in poorly drained rain-fed fields across the region, hinders rice growth. Conversely, excess light causes photoinhibition. While Fe toxicity disrupts plant growth, its interaction with light intensity remains poorly understood. NERICA4, an interspecific rice hybrid between Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, a widely cultivated upland rice variety, is recognized for its tolerance to Fe; however, its response to the combined effects of Fe toxicity and varying light intensity has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to assess the responses of agricultural traits of NERICA4 under simultaneous Fe toxicity and different light intensities. A controlled hydroponic experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design with three replications. Seedlings of NERICA4 and IR64 were exposed to either control or excess Fe (750 mg L-1) under both low (450 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)) and high (700 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)) light conditions for 12 days. Results revealed that NERICA4 maintained higher biomass, restricted Fe translocation, and showed reduced oxidative damage, as evidenced by lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation. Furthermore, the variety preserved greater chlorophyll and carotenoid content, supporting enhanced photoprotection and antioxidative defense. Despite stress conditions, NERICA4 sustained photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), reflecting robust adaptive mechanisms against photoinhibition. These findings demonstrate that NERICA4 exhibits superior tolerance to combined excess iron and high light stress compared to IR64, maintaining photosynthetic and antioxidant defense. This highlights NERICA4's potential as a resilient rice variety for cultivation under challenging agro-environments.
Azolla pinnata (AP) is an aquatic plant that is high in crude protein, amino acids, micronutrients, and phytochemical compounds. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AP intervention on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and serum biochemical parameters of small ruminants. Fourteen studies were used for the meta-analysis, and the data were analyzed using OpenMEE software. A random-effects model was used, and the results were expressed as mean differences (MD) at 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for each study. Heterogeneity was quantified using the Q - and I-2- statistics, whereas publication bias was determined using the standard method. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed on following moderators: diet type, ruminant type, inclusion level, live weight, feeding duration, breed, age, and sex considered a priori to explain the sources of heterogeneity. The results revealed that AP-based diets improved body weight gain (BWG) (MD = 1.88 kg; 95 % CI: 0.67, 3.09; p = 0.002), total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) (MD = 1.00 meq/dl; 95 % CI: 0.04, 1.97; p = 0.042) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (MD = -1.48 mg/dl; 95 % CI: -2.94, -0.02; p = 0.047) when compared with the controls, taking significant heterogeneity into account. Subgroup analysis results showed that goats fed AP-based diets had significantly higher BWG (MD = 2.78 kg; 95 % CI: 1.29, 4.27; p < 0.001) than the sheep (MD = 0.37 kg; 95 % CI: -2.13, 2.87; p = 0.771) fed the same diets. Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that studied moderators accounted for most of the sources of heterogeneity. It is recommended that up to 25 % AP be included in the diets of small ruminants to improved BWG, FCR, BUN, and ruminal TVFA content in sheep and goats.
This study explores the impact of crop rotation and climate conditions on soybean yields over a decade at the Rimski & Scaron;an & ccaron;evi experimental station in Serbia. Five cropping systems were tested (2008-2017), including soybean monoculture and rotations with maize, winter wheat, and sugar beet, under various fertilization regimes. The highest average yield of 2.75 +/- 0.20 t ha(-1) was achieved in a fertilized 3-year crop rotation, while the lowest yield of 1.21 +/- 0.13 t ha(-1) was recorded in an unfertilized 3-year rotation. Rainfall in June had a strong positive correlation with yield (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), while higher temperatures in August negatively impacted soybean yields (r = -0.72, p = 0.05). Growing degree units (GDU) increase of 1 degrees C resulted in a decrease of 1.57 kg in soybean yield. A comparison of simple grain yield, Sustainable Yield Index (SYI), and yield stability showed contrasting results when evaluating soybean cropping systems. However, the multi-year growing systems outperformed the monoculture system. Regression analysis showed that rainwater use efficiency (RWUE) increases with higher soybean yields. These findings underscore the importance of crop rotation and fertilization in sustaining soybean productivity and highlight the challenges posed by climate variability, emphasizing the need for adaptive management strategies in soybean cultivation. To optimize soybean production, it is essential to adopt diverse cropping systems and a combination of chemical and organic fertilizers to ensure soil health and sustainable yields.
The property rights attributes of farmland create uncertainty regarding farmers' satisfaction with farmland pollution governance and willingness to participate pollution governance. This paper divides farmers' satisfaction into two aspects for investigation: satisfaction with environmental governance effectiveness and satisfaction with income. With 343 valid questionnaires, this paper uses logistic regression model to empirically test the relationship. This paper differentiates farmers' satisfaction into satisfaction with environmental control effectiveness and satisfaction with income, and uses the interaction term of them as a comprehensive satisfaction indicator. The impact of satisfaction on farmers' participation willingness is then examined. Studies show that: (1)The relationship between farmers' satisfaction with the environmental governance effectiveness and their willingness to participate in environmental governance is not significant. (2)The relationship between farmers' income satisfaction and environmental governance willingness is not significant, but it passes the empirical test in the 15 % confidence interval, which indicates a weak correlation in economic sense. (3)The relationship between farmers' comprehensive satisfaction and environmental governance willingness is not significant, but showing a weak correlation (15 % within the confidence interval).The main reasons are as follows: firstly, the property rights of Chinese farmland belongs to the state; secondly, the cost of farmland pollution control is high and the time of farmland pollution control is long, so farmers are not motivated. (4)The regression results with controlled variables show an inverse relationship between the degree of farmland pollution in households and farmers' participation willingness, indicating the necessity of government guidance and leadership in farmland pollution control. Female farmers are more willing to participate in pollution control; age and household income are negatively correlated with participation willingness; whereas educational level and policy awareness are positively correlated with participation willingness.
