Dr. Lisandra Rocha-Meneses Associate Professor Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland Email: lisandra.meneses@emu.ee Dr. Abrar Inayat Associate Professor University of Sharjah, UAE Email: ainayat@sharjah.ac.ae

Submission deadline: February, 1st 2024 (for May 2024 issue)

About the Special Issue:

The continuously rising demand for agricultural products, a result of the world population growth, has brought several well-known consequences, such as pollution, soil degradation, residues generation, and climate change. Besides the environmental impacts, the productivity of agricultural and horticultural crops is frequently affected by pests, diseases, and natural disasters. It can have severe implications for poverty, food security, nutrition, and health. Therefore, there is a need for research that focuses on the development and utilization of sustainable agricultural practices that take into account productivity and environmental, economic, social, and technological aspects.

This special issue addresses the challenges and limitations of agri-science in tropical and subtropical regions. All types of original submissions are welcome. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Topics:

• Crop and animal practices
• Plant health and biology
• Products nutrition and quality
• Agricultural economics, business, and policy
• Soil science
• Agricultural machinery and engineering solutions
• Land-use trends and management practices
• Ecosystem services
• Environmental impacts and protection
• Modelling, machine learning and IoT sensors
• Climate change adaption and mitigation strategies
• Reduction and optimization of residues

Published papers:

• Physiological mechanisms in Ficus carica L. genotypes in response to moisture stress
  The genus Ficus comprises cultivated and wild species that vary in phenotypic characteristics of both the plant and the fruit. This genus is considered to originate from Mediterranean regions and arid lands of Europe and Africa, known as the Fertile Crescent. Ficus carica L. (fig) is a globally emerging fruit crop due to its increasing … Continue reading Physiological mechanisms in Ficus carica L. genotypes in response to moisture stress →
• In vitro Assessment of the Food Preference and Toxicity of Five Insecticides against The Land Snail Eobania vermiculata (Gastropoda; Helicidae)
  The land snail Eobania vermiculata is one of the most cosmopolitan and harmful agricultural pests, causing economic devastation to many crops. For this purpose, the choice and non-choice methods was used to determine the palatability of certain plants for E. vermiculata. Moreover, the vulnerability of the snail was assessed via its exposure to five common insecticides … Continue reading In vitro Assessment of the Food Preference and Toxicity of Five Insecticides against The Land Snail Eobania vermiculata (Gastropoda; Helicidae) →
• Effects of chemical seed priming on germination performance and seedling growth of Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) under salt stress
  As an important economic plant, Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) faces salinity stress from germination to all growth stages. The aim of this study is to ride salt-induced agriculture difficulties of tomato by applying different chemical seed priming: ascorbic acid (ASA), potassium nitrate (KNO3) and calcium nitrate (CaNO3) during two time periods which are 24 and 48 hours. … Continue reading Effects of chemical seed priming on germination performance and seedling growth of Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) under salt stress →
• How do rhizobacteria species influence the growth and yield of soybean in a tropical environment?
  The application of rhizobacteria has gained space in agricultural production, given the demand for more sustainable systems. However, most of the results obtained are related to soil or seed application, leaving a gap in relation to the foliar application of these microorganisms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of foliar application … Continue reading How do rhizobacteria species influence the growth and yield of soybean in a tropical environment? →
• Plant resources in the control of the key food pests Andean potato weevils (Premnotrypes spp.) and coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei): a systematic review
  Potato and coffee crops grapple with pronounced challenges posed by pests, notably the Andean potato weevils (Premnotrypes spp.) and the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei). These pests inflict significant economic repercussions on both smallholder and commercial farmers by disrupting essential food supply chains. This review delves into the insecticidal potentials of botanical resources against these … Continue reading Plant resources in the control of the key food pests Andean potato weevils (Premnotrypes spp.) and coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei): a systematic review →
• The implementation of sustainable urban agriculture: response of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) towards planting media composition of top soil, biochar and manure at vertical farming
  The study investigates the growth and yield response of mustard to different planting media of soil, biochar, and manure as planting media, within a vertical cultivation technique. Three-month research was carried out at the Screen House of Agroclimatology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Papua University, employing a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and triplicates. … Continue reading The implementation of sustainable urban agriculture: response of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) towards planting media composition of top soil, biochar and manure at vertical farming →
• Bioactivity of a methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L.seeds on the inflorescence rot agent (Mauginiella scaettae)and the fusarium rot agent (Fusarium oxysporum fsp albedinis) of date palm
  The antifungal activity of the methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L. seeds harvested in Algerian Sahara was assessed on the mycelial growth of Mauginiella scaettae the causal agent of inflorescence rot and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp albedinis the causal agent of vascular fusariosis of date palm (Bayoud). The phytochemical analyses revealed the absence of tannins, flavonoids, steroids … Continue reading Bioactivity of a methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L.seeds on the inflorescence rot agent (Mauginiella scaettae)and the fusarium rot agent (Fusarium oxysporum fsp albedinis) of date palm →
• Assessment of environmental impacts: a life cycle analysis of wheat and rice production in Madhya Pradesh
  The production of cereals is one of the primary activities that is responsible for most of the environmental degradation that is caused by agricultural activities. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the ecosystem & resource emissions along with emissions affecting human health, causing due to agricultural activities. LCA is used to conduct … Continue reading Assessment of environmental impacts: a life cycle analysis of wheat and rice production in Madhya Pradesh →
• Adsorbent potential of cocoa pod husk activated charcoal to remove metals from the Ucayali River
  The problem of river water contamination due to the presence of dangerous metals for ichthyological flora and fauna and human health has motivated the search for innovative and feasible solutions. Therefore, the production of activated carbon from cocoa pod husks was investigated to eliminate metals present in the Ucayali River. Response surface methodology was used … Continue reading Adsorbent potential of cocoa pod husk activated charcoal to remove metals from the Ucayali River →
• Boron and magnesium foliar application increase grain yield of durum wheat under drought by improving some physiological parameters
  Grain yield of wheat is primarily limited by water stress. Therefore, to increase productivity under drought conditions, a pot experiment was carried out at Maru Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Jordan, during the year 2021 to investigate the effect of foliar fertilizer by boron and magnesium under drought at either tillering or anthesis stages on some … Continue reading Boron and magnesium foliar application increase grain yield of durum wheat under drought by improving some physiological parameters →