Advances in Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture: Towards Resilient, Productive, and Ecologically Sound Food Systems

Agroecology and Biodiversity-Based Farming Systems: Ecological Principles for Resilient, Productive, and Low-Input Agriculture

Moses Godfrey Kaiira — 2026-06-01

The global food system is confronted with an unprecedented convergence of challenges, including soil degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and the imperative to feed a growing human population whilst reducing environmental footprints. Agroecology, as an integrative science and practice, offers ecologically grounded pathways for redesigning agricultural systems to enhance resilience, sustain productivity, and minimise external input dependencies. This review synthesises the conceptual foundations, ecological principles, and empirical evidence underpinning biodiversity-based farming systems, with particular emphasis on functional biodiversity, soil ecological processes, and the ecosystem services that emerge from diversified agroecosystems. The literature reviewed in this article was identified through systematic searches of the primary academic databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Priority was given to peer-reviewed journal articles published since 2006. Drawing upon recent advances in agroecological research, the article examines how practices such as intercropping, agroforestry, cover cropping, and integrated pest management harness ecological interactions to support nutrient cycling, biological pest regulation, pollination, and carbon sequestration. Evidence from meta-analyses and long-term field trials demonstrates that diversified farming systems can sustain yields comparable to conventional agriculture whilst delivering substantially superior biodiversity and ecosystem service outcomes. The review further addresses the socio-economic dimensions of the agroecological transition and identifies critical policy, knowledge, and institutional barriers that constrain wider adoption. It concludes that biodiversity-based farming systems are not merely ecologically desirable but represent a scientifically coherent strategy for achieving long-term food security and agricultural sustainability in the context of accelerating environmental change. The scientific and policy case for accelerating the agroecological transition has never been more compelling. At a moment when the ecological foundations of global food security are under unprecedented threat, biodiversity-based farming systems represent not merely an alternative but a scientifically grounded necessity for achieving a sustainable food future.

Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Climate Adaptation: A Systematic Review of Practices and Community-Led Strategies

Rinchan Dolkar — 2026-06-01

Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) is broadly defined as the cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationships between living beings, including humans, and their environment. This knowledge has evolved through adaptive processes and has been handed down over generations through cultural transmission. The accelerating trajectory of global climate change has exposed the limitations of conventional, technology-centric adaptation strategies, prompting growing scholarly and policy interest in the potential of Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) as a complementary and culturally grounded framework for resilience. This review synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2026, examining the roles of ethnobotanical practices, traditional water harvesting systems, and community-led adaptation approaches in enabling diverse human communities to respond to climate variability. Drawing on articles retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar using structured search strings, this review identifies consistent findings across geographic contexts: that ITEK embodies sophisticated, place-specific ecological intelligence developed over generations; that ethnobotanical knowledge underpins food security, medicinal resilience, and agro-ecological diversification under shifting climatic conditions; that indigenous water technologies including qanats, zai pits, johads, and terraced irrigation systems offer locally appropriate and low-carbon alternatives to engineered water infrastructure; and that community-led adaptation, when anchored in indigenous governance structures and participatory processes, tends to produce more durable and equitable outcomes than externally imposed interventions. The review further identifies critical challenges, including the erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission, inadequate intellectual property protections for traditional knowledge holders, the persistent devaluation of ITEK within mainstream scientific and policy discourse, and the risk of decontextualised appropriation. The chapter concludes by articulating pathways for biocultural integration, calling for the co-production of climate knowledge between indigenous communities and scientific institutions, and for legal and institutional frameworks that uphold the rights and agency of traditional knowledge holders.

Plant Biostimulants and Micronutrient Management for Crop Quality Enhancement: A Comprehensive Review

Akashi Sarma — 2026-06-01

The escalating global demand for food production, coupled with the imperative for sustainable agricultural practices, has necessitated innovative approaches to enhance crop quality whilst minimising environmental impact. Plant biostimulants and micronutrient management represent two complementary strategies that have gained significant scientific and commercial attention in recent decades. These approaches improve crop quality, enhance nutrient use efficiency, and increase plant resilience to environmental stresses. This comprehensive review examines the current state of knowledge regarding plant biostimulants, including humic substances, seaweed extracts, protein hydrolysates, and microbial inoculants, alongside micronutrient management strategies, particularly foliar applications of zinc, iron, boron, and manganese. The review synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed literature published between 2005 and 2026, drawing upon studies conducted across diverse agroecological zones and crop species. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms through which biostimulants enhance nutrient use efficiency, stress tolerance, and crop quality parameters are critically evaluated. Furthermore, the synergistic interactions between biostimulants and micronutrient applications are explored, highlighting opportunities for integrated nutrient management strategies. The regulatory landscape governing biostimulants, particularly the European Union Regulation 2019/1009, is discussed in the context of market development and product standardisation. Emerging research directions, including precision agriculture applications and the development of next-generation biostimulant formulations, are identified. The review concludes by addressing current limitations in the field and proposing future research priorities to advance the understanding of biostimulant-micronutrient interactions for sustainable crop quality enhancement. Future studies should focus on standardising biostimulant formulations, validating field efficacy across diverse environments, and further elucidating their molecular mechanisms and long-term impacts on soil health and crop productivity.

Climate-Adaptive Livestock Farming System: A Case Study of Ipomoea aquatica Utilisation

E. E. Wozi — 2026-06-01

In recent years, the livestock sector has faced the dual challenge of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while meeting the increasing demand for animal-derived products driven by global population growth, rising incomes, and urbanisation. In this context, climate-adaptive livestock production systems are gaining importance. Such systems emphasise the diversification of feed resources and the adoption of sustainable practices, including rotational grazing, the use of plant-based leaf meals, the incorporation of drought-tolerant fodder species, and the integration of trees through silvopastoral approaches to enhance resilience against climatic variability. Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) is a highly resilient and fast-growing aquatic or semi-aquatic plant with considerable potential in climate-adaptive agriculture. It thrives under high-temperature and waterlogged conditions, making it particularly valuable for sustaining feed and food production under changing climatic scenarios. As a livestock feed resource, Ipomoea aquatica has been shown to improve dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient utilisation in ruminants, particularly in animals fed low-quality, tannin-rich forages. This is largely attributed to its high protein content and palatability, which enhance rumen fermentation efficiency. Furthermore, Ipomoea aquatica contains appreciable levels of fibre, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids, with a nutritional profile comparable to conventional feed resources such as soybean. The integration of such alternative feed resources into livestock systems can strengthen crop–livestock linkages, thereby improving farm-level economic viability and sustainability. Consequently, the utilisation of Ipomoea aquatica as a feed supplement supports climate-adaptive livestock production by reducing dependence on conventional feedstuffs, lowering production costs, and contributing to a reduction in GHG emissions from livestock systems.

Natural Farming Research and Global Collaboration: Bibliometric Insights from India

Neelam Patel — 2026-06-01

Natural Farming has emerged as a climate-resilient agriculture practice and is popularising not only in India but also around the world. This study is an effort to map the research evolution of Natural Farming using bibliometric analysis, exploring global collaborations, clusters, and policy connections. The Dimensions database was utilised for deriving the dataset from 2016 to 2025. The dataset was analysed with VOSviewer to visualise scientific publications by author and organisation, author collaboration, network of country-level co-authorship. The result revealed that India emerged as the most central actor, reflecting both the volume of publications and the breadth of collaborations. An increasing participation of China and the USA was found within the collaboration network; however, the research at the world level was reported to be scattered, and a lack of south-south cooperation was observed because of the weaker connections between India and the African and Southeast Asia regions. It is pertinent to highlight that India is leading in the research of Natural Farming across the globe and offering a minimum input-based, climate-resilient farming. A consequential south-south association, integration for the achievement of SDGs through Natural Farming by 2030, could be a policy imperative for future publications.

Managing Saline Irrigation and Soil Microbiome Using Coalchar-Derived Graphene Oxide

Manikandan Ayiramkan — 2026-06-01

Soil salinity and declining soil biological health are major constraints to sustainable crop production, particularly under the intensifying impacts of climate change. This review examined the emerging role of graphene oxide derived from refractory coal char as a multifunctional material for improving soil health, engineering soil microbiome, and ameliorating saline irrigation water. Refractory coalchar, an industrial by-product, can be transformed into graphene oxide through oxidation–exfoliation processes, producing a material with high surface area and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. These properties enable efficient adsorption of sodium ions and dissolved salts, thereby reducing electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio of poor-quality irrigation water. Beyond water treatment, graphene oxide influences soil physicochemical and biological properties. Its application enhances soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient availability while reducing salinity stress. Importantly, graphene oxide acts as a supportive matrix for microbial colonisation, leading to improved microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and functional diversity. Evidence from incubation and field studies indicates that the combined effects of improved water quality and enhanced soil biological activity translate into significant gains in crop growth and productivity under saline conditions. The graphene oxide derived from coalchar into agricultural systems represents a circular and climate-resilient approach, converting industrial waste into a value-added resource for sustainable farming. This review aimed at ensuring sustainable crop production in salt-affected and climate-stressed agroecosystems.

Plant Physiological Strategies for Drought-Resilient Soil Health: Carbon Sequestration, Rhizosphere Microbiome, and Structural Resilience

K. Tressa Naidu — 2026-06-01

Accelerating climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of drought, imposing unprecedented pressures on soil ecosystems and the agricultural systems they sustain. Plants are not passive victims of water limitation: they deploy an array of physiological strategies—from modified root architecture and altered exudate chemistry to the dynamic recruitment of beneficial soil microorganisms—that profoundly reshape the soil environment under water deficit. This review synthesises current understanding of the ways in which plant physiology intersects with three critical and interconnected dimensions of soil health: carbon sequestration, rhizosphere microbiome dynamics, and structural resilience. A narrative review was conducted by reviewing the relevant studies published primarily between 2006 and 2026, which were identified through major scientific databases using Boolean search strategies and selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, methodological rigour, and relevance to the review objectives. Evidence indicates that drought modifies the quantity and composition of root exudates, triggering cascading effects on microbial community assembly, soil aggregate stability, and the persistence of soil organic matter. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi emerge as particularly important mediators of drought tolerance, with practical implications for sustainable soil management. Integrated management strategies—encompassing deep-rooted cover crops, targeted microbiome inoculation, and organic amendments—offer promising avenues for leveraging plant physiological processes to sustain soil function in water-limited environments. Substantial knowledge gaps persist concerning the stability of plant–microbiome interactions across diverse soil types, the net carbon balance under sustained drought, and the scalability of rhizosphere-informed interventions. Future research must prioritise mechanistic field studies conducted across multiple drought regimes and soil contexts if plant physiological insights are to be effectively translated into soil health policy and practice.

Drought Tolerance in Crops: An Integrated and Advanced Breeding Strategy

M. R. Bindu — 2026-06-01

Drought stress is a major abiotic constraint limiting global agricultural productivity and is expected to intensify under ongoing climate change, posing a significant threat to food security. Plants have evolved a wide range of adaptive mechanisms to cope with water deficit, including physiological, morphological, biochemical, and molecular responses that collectively enhance survival under stress conditions. Key physiological strategies include stomatal regulation, osmotic adjustment, and improved transpiration efficiency, which help maintain water balance and sustain metabolic activity. Morphological adaptations such as modified root architecture, reduced leaf area, increased trichome density, and cuticle thickening further contribute to minimising water loss and improving water uptake. At the biochemical level, plants activate antioxidant defence systems to mitigate drought-induced oxidative stress, while specialised species such as resurrection plants exhibit extreme desiccation tolerance through unique protective mechanisms. At the molecular level, drought stress triggers complex signalling networks involving abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium signalling, and protein kinases, leading to transcriptional reprogramming. Transcription factors such as DREB, bZIP, MYB, NAC, and WRKY families play critical roles in regulating stress-responsive genes, while long-distance signalling via mobile mRNAs coordinates systemic responses across plant tissues. Advances in plant breeding and biotechnology have significantly improved drought tolerance through the integration of conventional breeding, speed breeding, omics-assisted selection, and genome-editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9. However, the quantitative nature of drought tolerance and strong genotype × environment interactions remain major challenges. Therefore, an integrated approach combining physiological insights, molecular understanding, and advanced breeding strategies is essential for developing resilient crop varieties capable of sustaining productivity under water-limited conditions.

Sustainable Strategies for Plant Disease Management in Organic Farming

Promil Kapoor — 2026-06-01

The rising incidence of plant diseases poses a significant threat to global food security and biodiversity, with crop yield losses currently estimated between 10% and 40%. As the global population approaches 9.7 billion by 2050, the limitations of chemical pesticides, including environmental degradation and human health risks, have necessitated a shift toward sustainable alternatives. This chapter explores the comprehensive framework of plant disease management within organic farming systems, which prioritises ecological harmony and non-toxic interventions. The study details a multi-layered strategy beginning with agronomical methods such as crop rotation, tillage, and strategic sowing adjustments to break pathogen cycles. It further examines physical techniques, specifically soil solarisation and heat treatments, to reduce soil-borne inoculum. A central focus is placed on biological control agents, highlighting the efficacy of beneficial bacteria, like Pseudomonas, and fungi, like Trichoderma, which suppress pathogens through antagonism and induce systemic resistance. Additionally, the role of botanical extracts and the deployment of genetically resistant host varieties are discussed as vital components for enhancing crop resilience. The chapter concludes that a holistic integration of these cultural, physical, and biological tools is essential for maintaining agroecosystem stability and ensuring productive, sustainable agricultural futures.

Conservation Agriculture: A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Prateek Saxena — 2026-06-01

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is an important approach for achieving sustainable agricultural production while conserving natural resources and maintaining environmental quality. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Conservation Agriculture, including its principles, technologies, challenges, and future prospects. The study is based on an extensive review of published literature, reports, and case studies related to conservation practices across different agroecosystems. The chapter discusses key resource conservation technologies such as zero tillage, minimum tillage, crop residue management, green manuring, and hydroponics, highlighting their role in improving soil health, water use efficiency, crop productivity, and climate resilience. Major findings indicate that CA practices significantly reduce soil degradation, enhance resource-use efficiency, and contribute to sustainable crop production. The diversified rotations increase equivalent yield by up to 38%, reduce N₂O emissions by 39%, and improve the system’s greenhouse gas balance by 88%. The large-scale adoption of diversified cropping systems in the North China Plain could increase cereal production by 32% when wheat–maize follows alternative crops in rotation and farmer income by 20% while benefiting the environment. This study provides an example of sustainable food production practices, emphasising the significance of crop diversification for long-term agricultural resilience and soil health. (Yang et al., 2024). Overall, conservation agriculture results in an average 21% increase in soil health and supports similar levels of crop production after long-term warming compared to conventional agriculture (Qiao et al., 2024). However, economic, technological, policy, and socio-cultural barriers continue to limit large-scale adoption, particularly in developing countries like India. The chapter concludes that coordinated efforts involving farmers, researchers, and policymakers are essential for wider adoption of Conservation Agriculture. Future implications emphasize the need for innovative technologies, supportive policies, and awareness programs to strengthen sustainable agricultural systems and ensure long-term food and environmental security.