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Agricultural productivity (APL) and efficiency are crucial for Thailand's development, yet local small-scale farmers face challenges due to lower production. This study compares the efficiency of agronomic practices between rice and maize cultivation. Utilizing survey data from 297 small-scale farmers across three districts in Chiang Mai, we employed the Frontier Production Function and integrated kernel density analysis to assess agronomic practices. Results indicate maize cultivation is slightly more efficiency than rice. Technological progress, particularly advanced labor, significantly impacts productivity in both crops. Kernel density analysis reveals clustering of efficient values around intervals associated with advanced labor practices, emphasizing the importance of promoting technological progress. Meanwhile, the concentration of KDE implies a higher density of efficiency values within these intervals, representing typical levels of agronomic practices' efficiency or reflecting common technological and managerial practices. Tobit regression analysis shows farm size, family size, market distance and agricultural revenue are important determinants for rice productivity; by contrast, farm size and income are important factors for maize output. The study emphasizes how the efficiency of maize and rice is impacted differently by inputs and social factors. These understandings can help policymakers maximize agricultural inputs and solve social issues to improve sustainability and production.

Tomato production increasingly requires high‐yield plants and fruits with enhanced firmness and resistance to mechanical damage in order to reduce post‐harvest losses. Pre‐harvest treatments‐ may play a key role in modulating these quality attributes. This study investigated the effect of biochar, used as a partial replacement of agriperlite (2% and 4% v/v), and wood distillate (WD) on vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality, and mechanical properties of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Cikito) grown in a soilless system. Particular attention was given to mechanical parameters, including initial and mean firmness, apparent modulus of elasticity, deformation indices, absorbed energy, and elasticity. Biochar application, especially at 4% in combination with WD, significantly increased total yield and fruit number, while WD alone enhanced individual fruit weight and juice yield, particularly at the first harvest. Mechanical analyses showed that biochar improved fruit firmness and tissue stiffness, whereas WD promoted greater deformation and elasticity, indicating contrasting effects on post‐harvest behavior. Fruit color ‐ varied according to harvest stage, with significant biochar–WD interactions affecting L* and b* values. Overall, the use of biochar as a partial substitute for conventional soilless substrates together with WD application, represents a promising strategy to enhance plant performance and to modulate key mechanical and technological attributes of tomato fruits. However, further optimization of WD application timing and frequency is required to ensure agronomic effectiveness while maintaining economic and environmental sustainability.

Water use efficiency (WUE) is defined as the amount of carbon assimilated as biomass or grain produced per unit of water used by the crop. One of the primary questions being asked is how plants will respond to a changing climate with changes in temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide (CO ) that affect their WUE At the leaf level, increasing CO increases WUE until the leaf is exposed to temperatures exceeded the optimum for growth (i.e., heat stress) and then WUE begins to decline. Leaves subjected to water deficits (i.e., drought stress) show varying responses in WUE. The response of WUE at the leaf level is directly related to the physiological processes controlling the gradients of CO and H O, e.g., leaf:air vapor pressure deficits, between the leaf and air surrounding the leaf. There a variety of methods available to screen genetic material for enhanced WUE under scenarios of climate change. When we extend from the leaf to the canopy, then the dynamics of crop water use and biomass accumulation have to consider soil water evaporation rate, transpiration from the leaves, and the growth pattern of the crop. Enhancing WUE at the canopy level can be achieved by adopting practices that reduce the soil water evaporation component and divert more water into transpiration which can be through crop residue management, mulching, row spacing, and irrigation. Climate change will affect plant growth, but we have opportunities to enhance WUE through crop selection and cultural practices to offset the impact of a changing climate.

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth and productivity, but inefficiencies in its use in agriculture present both economic and environmental challenges. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is essential for promoting sustainable crop production and mitigating the negative impacts of nitrogen loss, such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This review discusses various strategies aimed at improving NUE, with a focus on agronomic practices, genetic advancements, and integrated management approaches. Traditional agronomic methods, including split nitrogen application and the use of controlled-release fertilizers, are explored alongside precision agriculture techniques, which enable real-time adjustments to nitrogen application based on crop and soil conditions. Advances in genetics and biotechnology, such as conventional breeding, genetic modification, and genome editing, have contributed to the development of crop varieties with improved nitrogen uptake and assimilation. Additionally, the role of beneficial microbes, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, is highlighted as a natural means of enhancing nitrogen availability and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The review further emphasizes sustainable practices such as legume-based crop rotations, continuous cover cropping, and organic fertilization, which contribute to soil nitrogen enrichment and overall soil health. By combining these agronomic, genetic, and microbial strategies, a holistic nitrogen management approach can be achieved, maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts. This integrated strategy supports the development of resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, promoting long-term soil fertility and productivity.

Waterlogging remains a significant constraint to cereal production across the globe in areas with high rainfall and/or poor drainage. Improving tolerance of plants to waterlogging is the most economical way of tackling the problem. However, under severe waterlogging combined agronomic, engineering and genetic solutions will be more effective. A wide range of agronomic and engineering solutions are currently being used by grain growers to reduce losses from waterlogging. In this scoping study, we reviewed the effects of waterlogging on plant growth, and advantages and disadvantages of various agronomic and engineering solutions which are used to mitigate waterlogging damage. Further research should be focused on: cost/benefit analyses of different drainage strategies; understanding the mechanisms of nutrient loss during waterlogging and quantifying the benefits of nutrient application; increasing soil profile de-watering through soil improvement and agronomic strategies; revealing specificity of the interaction between different management practices and environment as well as among management practices; and more importantly, combined genetic, agronomic and engineering strategies for varying environments.

Justification: Water-use efficiency (WUE) is the amount of carbon assimilated as biomass or grain produced per unit of water the crop uses, and it is considered a critical factor in maintaining the balance between carbon gain and water loss during photosynthesis, particularly in the face of global warming and drought challenges. Improving agricultural WUE is essential for sustainable crop production in water-scarce regions. Objective: This article explores the significance of WUE enhancement in agriculture, especially under drought conditions, and discusses various strategies to optimize WUE for improved crop productivity. Methods: We searched the scientific literature for articles on water-use efficiency published between 2010 and 2023 and selected the 42 most relevant studies for a comprehensive overview of strategies, technologies, and approaches to investigate sustainable agricultural practices to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture, particularly focusing on agronomic methods such as mulching, cover crops, canopy management, deficit irrigation, and irrigation modernization. Results: This review highlights several practical techniques for enhancing WUE, including sustainable irrigation practices, crop-specific agronomic strategies, and innovative technological solutions. By adopting these approaches, farmers can improve water management efficiency, reduce crop vulnerability to water stress, and ultimately enhance agricultural sustainability. In conclusion, improving water-use efficiency is an essential factor for ensuring food security in the face of climate change and water scarcity. By implementing innovative strategies and exploiting the power of technology, we can enhance WUE in agriculture, optimize crop production, conserve natural resources, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The world’s five Mediterranean-climate regions (MCRs) share unique climatic regimes of mild, wet winters and warm and dry summers. Agriculture in these regions is threatened by increases in the occurrence of drought and high temperature events associated with climate change (CC). In this review we analyze what would be the effects of CC on crops (including orchards and vineyards), how crops and cropping and farming systems could adapt to CC, and what are the social and economic impacts, as well as the strategies used by producers to adapt to CC. In rainfed areas, water deficit occurs mostly during the flowering and grain filling stages (terminal drought stress), which has large detrimental effects on the productivity of crops. Orchards and vineyards, which are mostly cultivated in irrigated areas, will also be vulnerable to water deficit due to a reduction in water available for irrigation and an increase in evapotranspiration. Adaptation of agriculture to CC in MCRs requires integrated strategies that encompass different levels of organization: the crop (including orchards and vineyards), the cropping system (sequence of crops and management techniques used on a particular agricultural field) and the farming system, which includes the farmer.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food for more than 50% of the world’s population. Owing to its growth characteristics, rice has more than 10-fold the ability to enrich the carcinogen arsenic (As) than other crops, which seriously affects world food security. The consumption of rice is one of the primary ways for humans to intake As, and it endangers human health. Effective measures to control As pollution need to be studied and promoted. Currently, there have been many studies on reducing the accumulation of As in rice. They are generally divided into agronomic practices and biotechnological approaches, but simultaneously, the problem of using the same measures to obtain the opposite results may be due to the different species of As or soil environments. There is a lack of systematic discussion on measures to reduce As in rice based on its mechanism of action. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism of the accumulation of As in rice could result in accurate measures to reduce the content of As based on local conditions. Different species of As have different toxicity and metabolic pathways. This review comprehensively summarizes and reviews the molecular mechanisms of toxicity, absorption, transport and redistribution of different species of As in rice in recent years, and the agronomic measures to effectively reduce the accumulation of As in rice and the genetic resources that can be used to breed for rice that only accumulates low levels of As. The goal of this review is to provide theoretical support for the prevention and control of As pollution in rice, facilitate the creation of new types of germplasm aiming to develop without arsenic accumulation or within an acceptable limit to prevent the health consequences associated with heavy metal As as described here.

The fall armyworm of maize, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) is capable of causing a 100% yield loss due to its unforeseen occurrence from the seedling to the cob formation stage. To manage this serious pest, maize growers are tending to apply a high dosage of pesticides. This indiscriminate usage of pesticides has resulted in an unacceptable amount of insect resurgence in maize, harming maize production and consumption. In this review, we prepared a list of practical pest management options, including host plant resistance, agronomical, cultural, biological, botanical, chemical, and biotechnology approaches. It was found that cultivation of tolerant genotypes, adjusting sowing windows, and practicing specific intercultural and cropping systems measures in addition to chemical and non-chemical pest management strategies showed encouraging results for sustainable management of fall armyworm, which could protect the crop. This review highlights novel and successful management options advocated in various parts of the world. Recommendations documented in this paper would certainly pave the way for successful management of fall armyworm in maize and other concerned crops.

The phytomicrobiome plays a crucial role in soil and ecosystem health, encompassing both beneficial members providing critical ecosystem goods and services and pathogens threatening food safety and security. The potential benefits of harnessing the power of the phytomicrobiome for plant disease suppression and management are indisputable and of interest in agriculture but also in forestry and landscaping. Indeed, plant diseases can be mitigated by in situ manipulations of resident microorganisms through agronomic practices (such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, organic mulching, etc.) as well as by applying microbial inoculants. However, numerous challenges, such as the lack of standardized methods for microbiome analysis and the difficulty in translating research findings into practical applications are at stake. Moreover, climate change is affecting the distribution, abundance, and virulence of many plant pathogens, while also altering the phytomicrobiome functioning, further compounding disease management strategies. Here, we will first review literature demonstrating how agricultural practices have been found effective in promoting soil health and enhancing disease suppressiveness and mitigation through a shift of the phytomicrobiome. Challenges and barriers to the identification and use of the phytomicrobiome for plant disease management will then be discussed before focusing on the potential impacts of climate change on the phytomicrobiome functioning and disease outcome.