Jul 2026· Genetics and Molecular Research· 0 citations· 56 references
Abstract
Agricultural sustainability has become a necessity amid the environmental degradation, decline of soil quality, loss of biodiversity and limitations of input-intensive farming systems. This review focuses on the role of cultural agricultural practices, integrated pest management and integrated nutrient management on sustainable production of crops and environmental protection. It identifies the role of crop rotation, intercropping, polyculture, conservation tillage, cover crops, and organic amendments in enhancing soil health, ecosystem resilience, and efficiency of resource use. The review also discusses the significance of integrated pest and nutrient management in reducing dependence on synthetic agrochemicals, strengthening ecological balance, and supporting long-term agricultural productivity. In addition, it explores the growing importance of plant-derived bioactive compounds from sustainable agriculture and their nutritional, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical relevance. Emerging delivery technologies, including lipid-based nanocarriers, encapsulation systems, controlled release approaches, and plant-derived extracellular vesicles, further extend the value of these natural compounds. Despite promising progress, challenges related to standardization, scalability, formulation stability, and regulatory acceptance remain substantial. Overall, the review emphasizes that the integration of ecologically sound farming practices with advances in bioactive research and delivery technologies offers a promising pathway toward environmentally responsible agriculture and value-added utilization of plant resources.
Agricultural production is facing increased pressure to increase yields and address soil degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, climate change, and the environmental impacts of input-intensive production. This review critically examines how sustainable crop production can be promoted through integrative pathways that enhance environmental resilience while improving productivity. It initially examines the fundamental structural issues in modern agriculture, with the underlying idea that deteriorating soil health, hydrological stress, chemical addiction, and ecosystem simplification are intertwined rather than distinct limitations. The review subsequently summarises five key avenues for transformation: agroecological diversification, soil-health-centered management, precision and digital agriculture, climate-smart crop improvement, and circular, resource-efficient systems. Instead of treating these approaches as rival models, the article argues that they are most valuable when combined strategically and integrated into context. Their collective impacts include increased yield stability, greater efficiency in input use, improved soil and water management, reduced pollution, and enhanced biological management of pests and diseases. The review also notes that environmental resilience must be a key measure of agricultural development, rather than an incidental co-benefit. It further highlights the significance of good governance, policy provision, and socioeconomic viability in scaling sustainable cultivation practices. On the whole, the article suggests a systems-based approach to reconsidering agriculture as an adaptive, regenerative, and resilient venture that could ensure long-term food production amid accelerating environmental change.
Jia-Liu Zhu, Qing Feng, Qi-Xiao Zhang et al.· Journal of Environmental &am...· 0 citations
Agricultural waste recycling offers a circular approach to reducing residue burdens while supporting soil management, crop protection, and resource recovery. This review evaluates the ecological and economic impacts of incorporating compost, digestate, biochar, and related products into integrated plant protection systems. A structured narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2003 and 2026 was conducted, covering disease suppression, nutrient cycling, crop productivity, greenhouse-gas emissions, life-cycle performance, and economic viability. The evidence indicates that compost provides the strongest support for suppressing soil-borne diseases through microbial competition, antibiosis, and modification of the soil environment, whereas biochar can enhance nutrient retention, regulate rhizosphere microbial communities, and induce plant resistance, although its effectiveness depends on feedstock, production conditions, and application practices. Digestate contributes primarily through nutrient recovery and renewable-energy production, with limited evidence of direct pest or disease suppression. Economic benefits include reduced fertilizer and pesticide inputs, avoided waste-disposal costs, renewable-energy generation, improved crop productivity, and potential carbon value, although these gains may be offset by processing costs, transportation, emissions, nutrient losses, and inconsistent field performance. Thus, recycled agricultural products should be regarded as complementary, context-dependent components of integrated plant protection, supported by standardized product characterization, long-term field validation, and integrated ecological and economic assessment.
Aisha Twalibu, Hazel Samartha Mabangwe, Ellena Chikhazu et al.· American Journal of Life Sci...· 0 citations
Restoring soil health, boosting biodiversity, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and boosting carbon sequestration while preserving agricultural productivity are the goals of regenerative agriculture, an integrated land-management strategy. Regenerative agriculture, in contrast to traditional sustainable methods, concentrates on using ecological processes to replenish soil organic matter and biological activity. Because they emphasize biological nutrient cycle and reduce synthetic inputs, organic and natural farming systems are significant elements of this larger regenerative framework. In India, methods like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) and Organic Farming have drawn interest due to their potential to lower production costs, enhance soil quality, and advance sustainable agriculture. Research carried out in India under natural farming efforts has shown notable increases in soil organic carbon and microbial activity, as well as yield improvements of 20–40% on degraded soils. Crop rotation, green manuring, composting, and biological pest control are examples of organic farming techniques that enhance soil structure and long-term production. This study looks at how natural and organic agricultural methods fit into the larger idea of regenerative agriculture. The study assesses their effects on soil health, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable crop production using a qualitative review of secondary literature. The results show that combining organic and natural farming methods with regenerative principles can greatly improve soil carbon sequestration, boost climate-resilient farming systems, and increase agricultural sustainability.
B. Ramanjaneyulu, Annu Rani· AgriBio Innovations· 0 citations
Soil fertility is one of the most critical factors influencing agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. Rapid population growth, intensive farming, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and climate change have significantly reduced soil quality in many agricultural regions. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of organic biomass, has emerged as an environmentally friendly soil amendment that improves soil fertility while contributing to climate change mitigation. This review paper explores the effects of biochar on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and its role in sustainable agriculture. It discusses biochar production methods, nutrient retention capacity, carbon sequestration, crop productivity, water conservation, and environmental benefits. Additionally, the paper highlights current challenges, future research opportunities, and policy recommendations for promoting biochar-based farming systems. The findings suggest that biochar application can significantly improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase long-term agricultural sustainability.
Noor ul Huda, Aiman Siddiqui, Hassan Tariq· Jana Nexus: Journal of Agric...· 0 citations
Medicinal plants which are rich in bioactive substances like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oils, are crucial to both conventional and contemporary systems of healthcare. This review examines sustainable cultivation and harvesting practices of medicinal plants in the Global South, integrating ecological, socio-economic, and governance perspectives. It synthesizes evidence on agroecological approaches, including organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest management, alongside traditional practices such as selective harvesting and sacred forest conservation. The review furtherevaluates conservation strategies, certification frameworks (e.g., FairWild, GACP), and policy instruments influencing sustainable use. Key challenges identified includes overharvesting, climate change, knowledge loss, and market barriers, while opportunities lie in community-led initiatives, value addition, and climate-resilient agriculture. The study highlights the need for inclusive governance, equitable benefit-sharing, and integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific innovation to ensure long-term sustainability of medicinal plant resources.
Oluyemisi Omotayo Omonije, Oloju Oluwagboyega Kayode, Oluwaseun Adenike Adefila et al.· Biological and Environmental...· 0 citations
The increasing need to ensure global food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices has necessitated the development of alternative approaches to the environmental problems caused by the use of traditional mineral fertilizers. This review article, prepared within this context, comprehensively examines the development of biochar-coated controlled-release fertilizers (BCSRFs) over the last decade (2015–2025). The study evaluates in detail the production techniques of BCSRFs, the properties of coating materials, nutrient release mechanisms, and the impacts of these systems on agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, environmental gains such as increased nutrient use efficiency (NUE), reduced greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient leaching, as well as economic feasibility and scalability are discussed. With the potential to improve soil fertility and limit environmental losses, BCSRFs stand out as an innovative and promising solution for modern agricultural systems. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature and provide a scientific framework for future research and applications.
Hasine Elçi· Selcuk journal of agricultur...· 0 citations