Recent Progress in Research in Agricultural Science

Introduction

Agricultural science plays a pivotal role in shaping our food systems, environmental sustainability, and overall well-being. In recent years, researchers have made significant strides in understanding various aspects of agriculture, including crop production, soil health, and sustainable practices. In this article, we’ll explore some of the latest breakthroughs and their implications for the future.

1. Crop Transformation Technologies

Precise Genome Editing

Advancements in bioinformatics have ushered in a new era in modern agriculture by seamlessly integrating computational methodologies with crop genomics [1]. Advancements in precise genome editing techniques have revolutionized crop breeding programs. Researchers are now able to modify specific genes to enhance crop traits such as yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content. Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 allow scientists to precisely edit plant genomes, leading to faster and more efficient crop development [2].

2. Soil Health and Phosphorus Management

Optimizing Phosphorus Applications

Numerous factors, such as the soil’s low organic content and the inaccessibility of phosphorus nutrients in acidic soil conditions, restrict the growth of crops and the health of the soil [3]. Phosphorus is a critical nutrient for plant growth, but its depletion rates pose challenges to global food security. Recent research suggests that adjusting phosphorus applications based on optimal crop yields can help sustain global phosphorus reserves. By matching soil phosphorus levels with thresholds for grassland and crop yields, we can extend the longevity of these essential reserves [4].

3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A Comprehensive Approach

Sustainable agriculture relies on implementing effective, eco-friendly crop protection strategies. However, the adoption of these green tactics by growers is limited by their high costs resulting from the insufficient integration of various components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) [5]. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to minimize the use of chemical pesticides while maintaining crop productivity. A theoretical framework called the Multi-Dimensional Management of Multiple Pests proposes a holistic assessment of environmental benefits. By combining green IPM tactics, such as biological control and habitat management, we can enhance pest control while safeguarding ecosystems [6].

4. Sustainable Agri-Food Supply Chains

The Role of Midstream Actors

Global food supply chains remain critical drivers of ecosystem degradation and social injustices [7]. Global food supply chains impact both ecosystems and social justice. Midstream actors—those operating between agricultural producers and food manufacturers—have a unique opportunity to improve supply chain sustainability. By promoting responsible sourcing, reducing waste, and fostering transparency, these actors contribute to a more resilient and equitable food system [6].

5. Cropland Fragmentation and Rational Layout

Preserving Agricultural Sustainability

Cropland fragmentation poses a threat to agricultural sustainability. Researchers emphasize the importance of rational crop layout in different ecological regions. By managing fragmented croplands strategically, we can enhance productivity, reduce resource waste, and promote long-term sustainability [8]. Modernizing crop farming is necessary to attain sustainable food security due to the growing global population. The frequent insect infestation has a negative impact on agricultural production and results in large economic losses [9].

Conclusion

As we delve deeper into the intricacies of agricultural science, it’s clear that collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners is essential. Whether it’s improving crop genetics, optimizing nutrient management, or fostering sustainable practices, recent progress in agricultural science holds promise for a more resilient and food-secure future.

Remember, just as scientific advancements benefit our crops, our furry companions—the domestic dogs—have been by our side throughout this journey. From ancient hunter-gatherers to modern farmers, the human-canine bond remains unbreakable.

So, as we celebrate agricultural innovations, let’s also appreciate the loyal companions who’ve shared our fields and homes for thousands of years.

List of top most journals in Agricultural Science (2024)

 What is open access journal?

An open access journal is an academic journal that publishes scholarly papers and makes the content available for access, download, reading, and distribution without charging subscription fees. People commonly refer to open access journals as “free journals” since users do not have to pay to read or use their contents. In the general context, it is somehow correct. But technically, most open access journals use Creative Commons licenses, which are public licenses that allow content usage and impose certain restrictions, if any. Such restrictions may include attribution, modifications, and non-commercialization. Open access journals are growing in popularity and are well respected in academia. Major databases such as the Directory of Open Access Publishing have begun focusing on indexing and promoting high-quality open access journals. More established databases have also followed suit. The presence of established databases in promoting open access journals is an important validation and recognition of open research.

What is open peer review?

Open peer review (OPR), where review reports and reviewers’ identities are published alongside the articles, represents one of the last aspects of the open science movement to be widely embraced, although its adoption has been growing since the turn of the century (Wolfram etal., 2020) [10]. Open peer review refers to various modifications of the traditional scholarly peer review process. These modifications aim to address perceived shortcomings of the conventional system. Here are the three common forms of open peer review:

1. Open Identities:

• In open peer review, authors and reviewers are aware of each other’s identities. Unlike traditional peer review, where reviewers remain anonymous to anyone but the journal’s editors, open peer review allows transparency by revealing reviewer names to authors.
• However, reviewer identities may or may not be disclosed to the public.

2. Open Reports:

• Under this model, review reports are made public, rather than being confidentially shared only with the article’s authors. This includes publishing not only the reviewers’ comments but also the authors’ responses and editors’ recommendations.
• Typically, this applies to articles accepted for publication, not those that are rejected. 

3. Open Participation:

• In open peer review, self-selected reviewers (beyond invited experts) can comment on an article. The assumption is that the article’s content is openly accessible.
• These self-selected reviewers may contribute either brief comments or comprehensive reviews.
• The text of the article is openly available, allowing broader community participation in the review process.

The adoption of open peer review aims to enhance transparency, provide incentives, reduce wastefulness, and address issues like bullying and harassment in scholarly communication.

What are the benefits of Open Peer Review?

Open peer review (OPR) is a transparent process that allows scholarly articles to be evaluated by experts in the field, while also revealing the identities of both authors and reviewers. OPR can improve the quality of research by:

• Encouraging constructive feedback: Openness in the identities of authors and reviewers can lead to better quality feedback rather than simply rejecting the paper.
• Reducing bias: Everything is openly available to all, which can reduce the possibility of bias.
• Empowering authors: Authors can lead the process by suggesting reviewers themselves.
• Improving accountability: The quality of current scientific publications is at stake.
• Encouraging collaboration: OPR encourages collaboration and promotes diversity of perspectives, ultimately leading to more robust and credible research outcomes.
• Providing learning opportunities: OPR places a research work in the context of a discussion, and gives authors, readers and others a chance to better understand the process from the initial manuscript submission to final published version.
• Exposing possible conflicts of interest: OPR may help to expose possible conflicts of interest in some cases.

Adoption of OPR by publishers (Wolfram etal., 2020) [10]

 A summary of the most prolific publishers contributing to OPR and their headquarters country appears below. Although many journals today attract an international audience and are managed by international teams of researchers, the prevalence of OPR journals associated with publishers based in Europe stands out. Twenty-four of the 38 (63.2%) identified publishers are based in Europe and account for 445 out of the 617 titles (72.1%). Although the publishers are based in Europe, many of the journals they publish may support journals originating from other areas of the world (e.g., Kowsar). Furthermore, 500 of the OPR journals (81.0%) are published by only five publishers (MDPI, SDI, BioMed Central, Frontiers Media S.A., Kowsar). This points to the important role that publishers have played to date in the promotion of OPR (Wolfram etal., 2020) [10].

1. *United Kingdom (19 journals), United States (9), Argentina (1), Bulgaria (1), Canada (1), France (1), Germany (1), Ireland (1), Kenya (1), The Netherlands (1), Switzerland (1)

List of open Peer-review journals in agricultural science (2024)

1. Agriculture (Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agriculture)
2. Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry (Website: https://journalajraf.com)
3. Asian Research Journal of Agriculture (Website: https://journalarja.com)
4. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International (Website: https://journaljaeri.com)
5. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International (Website: https://journaljeai.com)

References:

1. Prajval, V., Krishnamoorthi, A., Thakur, R., Ruchitha, T., Kapoor, M., Singh, A., & Chittibomma, K. (2024). From Code to Crop: How Bioinformatics is Transforming Crop Genomics in Modern Agriculture and Bettering Environment. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, 27(4), 27-49. https://journaljabb.com/index.php/JABB/article/view/737
2. Wang, X., “Contribution of fragmented croplands,” Nature Food, 5, 202-203 (2024) https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-00937-8
3. Huang, D., & Imran. (2024). Nano-Black Carbon Improve Phosphorus Uptake, and Sustain Soil and Plant Health Under Biodynamic Agriculture. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 55(4), 457-472. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00103624.2023.2269244
4. Healey, A. L., Garsmeur, O., D’Hont, A., “The complex polyploid genome architecture of sugarcane,” Nature, 1-7 (2024) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38538783/
5. Han, P., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Zalucki, M. P., Liu, S. S., & Desneux, N. (2024). A theoretical framework to improve the adoption of green Integrated Pest Management tactics. Communications Biology, 7(1), 337. https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-06027-6
6. Torres, J. B., & Bueno, A. D. F. (2018). Conservation biological control using selective insecticides–a valuable tool for IPM. Biological Control, 126, 53-64. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964418302470
7. McDowell, R. W., Pletnyakov, P., Haygarth, P. M., “Phosphorus applications adjusted to optimal crop yields can help sustain global phosphorus reserves,” Nature Food, 1-8 (2024) https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-00952-9
8. Muhie, S. H. (2022). Novel approaches and practices to sustainable agriculture. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 10, 100446. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266615432200179X
9. Bhatnagar, S., Mahanta, D. K., Vyas, V., Samal, I., Komal, J., & Bhoi, T. K. (2024). Storage pest management with nanopesticides incorporating silicon nanoparticles: A novel approach for sustainable crop preservation and food security. Silicon, 16(2), 471-483. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12633-023-02694-y
10. Wolfram, D., Wang, P., Hembree, A. et al. Open peer review: promoting transparency in open science. Scientometrics 125, 1033–1051 (2020). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11192-020-03488-4

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