Safeguarding the future of chocolate

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Picture copyright Andres et al.

The sustainable supply of cocoa beans is at stake due to the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease, that has ravaged hundreds of millions of trees in West Africa. Scientists Andres et al. showed that farmers with better access to information, a larger farm, and more secure land tenure rights were more likely to adopt preventive measures against this disease. They recommend, therefore, to relay prevention information to Ghanaian cocoa farmers on local radio, TV stations or mobile devices to help limit the spread of the disease.

Transforming work for transition to agro-ecology

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Picture copyright Weber, Inra

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 growth limitation in subtropical regions

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Picture copyright Casali et al.

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.

Recovered phosphorus fertilisers as an alternative to mined and processed fertilisers

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Picture copyright Bossennec et al.

Fertilisers based on recovered phosphorus from secondary raw materials can provide an alternative to mined rock phosphate fertilisers in line with the circular economy. Scientists Huygens and Saveyn found that agronomic efficiency of selected fertilisers derived from secondary raw materials may compare with mined rock phosphate and processed fertilisers, in settings relevant for European agriculture.

Willingness to pay for crop protection apps

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Picture copyright Bonke et al.

Integrating smartphone apps into farmer’s decision process can facilitate sustainable crop protection. Scientists Bonke et al. studied the acceptance of crop protection apps from an economic perspective. Their results show that the large majority of German farmers are willing to pay for these apps and that, amongst others, the potential to reduce negative environmental effects and costs have a positive influence on this willingness to pay for such applications.

Highlighting controversies to govern the innovation pathway in Geographical Indications

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Picture copyright Curk, Inra

“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.

Biodiversity as a tool to manage weeds

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Picture copyright Petit et al.

Weed management is a challenging issue in the context of pesticide reduction. Scientists Petit et al. recently reviewed several options for the biological regulation of arable weeds: weed – (cover) crop competition, weed seed granivory by invertebrates and weed interactions with pathogenic fungi. However, the understanding of these biodiversity-based options and their performance in weed biocontrol requires the implementation of farm-scale experimental trials in future.

Plant breeding strategies for sustainable agriculture

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Picture copyright Chatin, INRA

Plant breeders must strive to improve food security, food and seed sovereignty, social justice, biodiversity, ecosystem services and adaptation to climate change. Scientists Lammerts van Bueren et al. show that none of the current breeding orientations will achieve all these targets and make a plea for a new integrated orientation, called “systems-based breeding” capable of producing cultivars with significant ecological and societal resilience.

Analyzing farm workforce to better understand farm adaptability

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Picture copyright K. Devine, courtesy Cotton Australia

The farm workforce involved in agricultural production is changing across the world, including the number of people and the forms of employment. Scientists Nettle et al. studied such changes in Australian cotton farms exposed to major resource constraints such as irrigation water. They found that the farm workforce was an option to provide production flexibility, yet high adaptability had negative consequences for workers.

Using synthetic chemicals against vine and citrus pest mealybugs

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Picture copyright Antonio Biondi

Synthetic chemicals, which can be incorporated in either pesticides or insect sex pheromones, have been extensively used against vine and citrus pest mealybugs worldwide. Scientists Mansour et al. reviewed the current knowledge on mealybug control based on these synthetic chemicals. Mixing pheromones and insecticides with novel modes of action, long-lasting efficacy and less adverse side effects on beneficial arthropods is a promising strategy for pest management in vineyards and citrus orchards.