Agro-ecological transition implies deep work transformations for farmers and actors. Coquil et al. review the ways these changes are studied and how such transformations can be assisted by regular advisers. They claim that the focus should be put on the reorientation of development dynamics in farming work. They also reckon that better support should accompany these reorientations during agro-ecological transition.
Maize is increasingly being adopted by local farmers in northern Argentina, but yields are low. Scientists Casali et al. showed that rainfall at the end of summer was the primary determinant of maize yield. They reveal that tropical hybrids were able to tolerate high temperatures better than temperate hybrids. However, temperate hybrids performed better than tropical hybrids under conditions of water scarcity.
“Geographical Indications” are protected spaces where local actors can develop breakthrough innovations. Scientists Belmin et al. studied the way three innovations developed in the “Corsican clementine” Geographical Indication – a variety, a biological pest control method, and a pruning technique. They showed that highlighting the controversies generated by these innovations led local actors to collectively adapt the governance of the Geographical Indication and its innovation pathway.
Models are promising tools to develop a more sustainable agriculture. Scientists Ballot et al. developed a model named PerSyst , that simulates the yields of successive crops. The model parameters are based on local expert knowledge collected from interviews. Its good predictive capacity for organic farming was demonstrated in the French “Île-de-France” region.
The income of millions of African farmers relies on maize-based cropping systems cultivated in soils often depleted of nutrients. Scientists Komarek et al. show that farms growing maize in rotation with legumes increase the stability of their profit. In contrast, such rotations have a much lower average caloric yield and use more labor than maize monoculture. Risk and labor factors must therefore be carefully evaluated before applying alternative cropping systems.
Among all forage species, the legume Biserrula leads to low methane emission when fermented by rumen microbes. Scientists Ghamkhar et al. showed that several metabolites in Biserrula contribute to this low methane emission. These metabolites are useful markers to identify other pasture species with similar low environmental footprint.
Grafted tomatoes are widely used by European or Asian producers and are considered with a growing interest in the Americas. Scientists Grieneisen et al. extensively reviewed trial data on fruit quality and yield of grafted tomatoes. They reported that on average grafting increases yield by 37% and does not contribute to inferior fruit quality. By contrast, grafting shows promise to reduce soil pest treatments.
Abiotic and biotic stresses are major factors limiting plant growth worldwide. Scientists Li et al. recently reviewed how silicon nutrition alleviates such plant stresses and improves plant biomass carbon accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems. They concluded that silicon-mediated recovery from stresses can increase plant biomass carbon by 35% and crop yield by 24%.
Sugarcane ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emission if agricultural practices and production processes are sustainable. Scientists Bordonal et al. recently reviewed the significant advances made in Brazil rendering the sugarcane-based ethanol one of the most successful bioethanol program. Meeting the world demand for sustainable bioethanol production requires to optimize further the whole agricultural production chain.
World cocoa intensive production lacks of sustainability and there is a need for more ecologically efficient cropping systems based on greater biodiversity level. However, the performances of cocoa agroforests are more difficult to assess than those of monospecific systems. For the first time, scientists Jagoret et al. demonstrate that the basal area per cocoa tree and the unproductive adult cocoa tree rate are key factors to assess cocoa yield. These indicators can be used to mediate the structure of a cocoa agroforests to improve their yields.