ASD 
In tropical agroforestry systems, the appropriate nutrient prescription is a challenge due to natural environmental heterogeneity and variable nutrient acquisition strategies between species. Scientists Borden and Isaac used a novel approach to monitor root response of cocoa to fertilizers. They showed that the analysis of root trait expression can be used to improve nutrient management in agroforestry systems.
In the context of the European crisis in conventional milk production, many conventional farms are converting to organic farming at the risk of rendering them vulnerable during and after this conversion. In France, scientists Bouttes et al. studied farm ability to respond to technical, climatic and economic effects of such conversion. They showed that conversion to organic farming can be a powerful mechanism for reducing farm vulnerability.
In integrated crop-livestock systems, cover crops provide food for grazing animals but the intensive grazing of the cover crops can increase weed emergence. Scientists Schuster et al. showed that optimizing forage allowances in a grass cover crop grazed by cattle during winter, followed by no-tillage soybean production next summer, suppressed weeds and improved beef and soybean productions.
Scientists Baudron et al. used on farm-level data to reveal a much higher demand for mechanization in African smallholder agriculture than was reckoned by previous macroeconomic studies. They also debunked several myths surrounding labor in African farming, such as most of the labor would rely on women, or agricultural tasks would be carried out almost entirely by family labor.
An increasing number of vineyards are converting to organic farming due to concerns about the environmental impacts of agriculture. Change strategies need to be classified to identify the situations requiring the most effort to achieve organic conversion. Scientists Merot et al. classify transition strategies according to a scale of change intensity and speed of changes. This approach improves the understanding of conversion and leads to better support winegrowers during conversion.
Protein crops are rarely grown by European Union farmers although these crops decrease farmers dependency on purchased feed and provide agronomic benefits to cropping systems. Scientists Carof et al. surveyed a group of farmers growing protein crops in western France. They revealed similar yields in organic and conventional systems and highlighted the need to consider protein crop profit at a crop-rotation level. This should encourage protein-crop adoption by farmers.
Introducing or increasing legume production on farms is a key issue in many European countries. Scientists Mawois et al. show that transition to high and sustainable levels of legume introduction in French farms requires three levers: (1) the stability of outlets, (2) the knowledge and local references on the preceding crop effect, and (3) the farmer’s involvement in peer networks.
Perennial forage legume species provide high protein feed to animals and restore soil fertility. However current perennial forage legumes often require re-seeding each time the “perennial phase” is re-established. Scientists Edwards et al. recently introduced the concept of a “perennial ley-farming” system in which the perennial legume self regenerates from a hard seed bank, thus creating a more sustainable agro-ecosystem.
Farmers worldwide express increasing concerns about work issues, creating new challenges for advisors. Scientists Dockes et al. reviewed the main changes in farm work in Australia, Belgium, France and Uruguay and the features of advice about work. Concerning farmers, work is a very personal subject linked to their identity, self-image, and values. For the advisors, three aspects dealing with labor, organization, and identity must be considered to succeed in advisory practices.
The immature (i.e. unproductive) period of rubber tree plantations is the most critical period for nutrient management and a key determinant of future yields. Scientists Vrignon-Brenas et al. reviewed current fertilization practices, soil management and nutrient dynamics in immature plantations. Improvement is possible by use of agroecological practices such as intercropping and the development of a nutrient budget approach.