Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The problem of environmental pollution in modern agriculture is becoming increasingly severe. The root causes are complex, including the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, disorderly discharge of livestock and poultry waste, and unreasonable agricultural practices. These issues not only threaten the sustainable development of agriculture but also bring enormous pressure to the environment and human health. To further explore the causes, impacts, and response measures of these issues, we sincerely invite you to contribute to this Topic. We encourage you to explore the impact of current agricultural or land policies on promoting agricultural modernization from different perspectives and levels, examining how these policies directly or indirectly impact environmental quality, and how to alleviate pollution pressure through policy adjustments or technological innovation. We particularly encourage you to pay special attention to the role of digital and intelligent technologies, as well as delving into how to effectively control agricultural pollution and promote the application of ecological agriculture technologies. At the same time, we also encourage analysis of the impact of environmental pollution on agricultural ecosystems and socio-economic development, as well as the proposal of practical and feasible governance measures and solutions to provide strong support for the green development of modern agriculture.

The Topic focuses on green agricultural development and agricultural pollution issues, encompassing key areas like ecological agriculture, smart agriculture, green agricultural technology, agricultural and rural policies, and agricultural and rural modernization. Through these studies, we aim to promote the green transformation of the agricultural system and achieve the goal of sustainable agricultural development. We eagerly anticipate your outstanding submissions and look forward to jointly contributing our expertise to promoting green development in modern agriculture.

Prof. Dr. Yafei Wang
Dr. Yizhe Dong
Prof. Dr. Zhixiong Tan
Prof. Dr. Longyao Zhang
Prof. Dr. Hui Zhang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.3	4.9	2011	19.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Agronomy agronomy	3.3	6.2	2011	17.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Pollutants pollutants	-	-	2021	25.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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38 pages, 634 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Research on Government Regulation, Agricultural Socialization Service and Green Treatment Behavior of Mushroom Residue by Mushroom Farmers—Based on Research Data from Gutian County, Fujian Province, China

by Baocai Su, Zhenwen Zhao and Shuisheng Fan

Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020767 - 19 Jan 2025

Viewed by 760

Abstract

Agricultural waste treatment in the post-production stage is a crucial component of agricultural green development. To achieve ecological revitalization, it is essential to address the pollution constraints posed by agricultural waste. This study is grounded in the survey data collected from 284 mushroom [...] Read more.

Agricultural waste treatment in the post-production stage is a crucial component of agricultural green development. To achieve ecological revitalization, it is essential to address the pollution constraints posed by agricultural waste. This study is grounded in the survey data collected from 284 mushroom farmers in Gutian County, Fujian Province. Given that the explanatory variable pertains to the number of green treatment behavior adoptions by mushroom farmers regarding mushroom residue, which falls under the category of ordered discrete variables and exhibits an evident recurrence relationship, we opted to analyze the impacts of government regulation, agricultural socialized services, and their interaction terms on the green treatment behavior of mushroom farmers’ mushroom residue through the Ordered Probit model. This approach enabled us to uncover how the differentiation among mushroom farmers influences their green treatment behavior. The study yielded several significant findings. Firstly, both government regulation and agricultural socialized services can effectively drive mushroom farmers to adopt green treatment behaviors for mushroom residue. Secondly, there is an interactive effect between government regulation and agricultural socialized services in relation to the green treatment behavior of mushroom farmers’ residue, indicating a certain degree of complementarity between the two. Thirdly, the differentiation among mushroom farmers has a pronounced impact on the green treatment behavior of mushroom residue. Notably, there are distinct differences in the green treatment behavior of mushroom farmers with varying education levels and planting scales. Moreover, as the education level and planting scale increase, the influence of government regulation and agricultural socialized services on the behavior of mushroom farmers tends to strengthen. Consequently, in the process of promoting the green treatment behavior of mushroom farmers’ mushroom residue, we should maximize the utilization of the policy constraints and guiding measures of government regulation to enhance the normative role of mushroom farmers’ behavior. Simultaneously, we need to fully exploit the recycling and transportation support functions of agricultural socialized services. By grasping the complementarity between government regulation and agricultural socialized services in terms of both normative behavior and solution measures, we can effectively ensure the practical feasibility of the green treatment behavior of mushroom residue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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18 pages, 424 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Green Finance, Land Transfer and China’s Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity

by Xuan Liu and Xuexi Huo

Land 2024, 13(12), 2213; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122213 - 18 Dec 2024

Viewed by 655

Abstract

Promoting the role of green finance (GF) in agricultural green transformation is essential for easing resource constraints and achieving sustainable agricultural development. Based on provincial-level data from 2006 to 2022, this study considers the China GF reform and innovation pilot zone as a [...] Read more.

Promoting the role of green finance (GF) in agricultural green transformation is essential for easing resource constraints and achieving sustainable agricultural development. Based on provincial-level data from 2006 to 2022, this study considers the China GF reform and innovation pilot zone as a quasi-natural experiment. It empirically examines the impact and mechanism of GF on agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP). The following results are obtained: (1) GF exerts a significant enhancement effect on AGTFP. (2) GF can improve AGTFP by increasing the degree of land transfer (LT). (3) The effect of GF on AGTFP is heterogeneous, and GF has a significant enhancement effect on high-environmental-regulation provinces, the eastern region, and nonmajor grain-producing regions. From these findings, this study suggests accelerating the development level of GF, improving LT policies, continuously stimulating rural entrepreneurial vitality, and further leveraging the role of GF in promoting agricultural green transformation through coordinating regional economic development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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17 pages, 15468 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Microplastics with Different Types, Particle Sizes, and Concentrations on the Germination of Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage Seed

by Xiaolei Zeng, Xinyue Yang, Xianhuan Tang, Lixian Xu, Jing Hu, Mingcheng Wang, Gefu Wang-Pruski and Zhizhong Zhang

Agriculture 2024, 14(11), 2056; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14112056 - 15 Nov 2024

Viewed by 692

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are a new type of pollutant widely distributed in the environment. The ecological risks caused by MPs are becoming increasingly serious, especially in cultivated land where pollution is more likely to accumulate. In this paper, the effects of different types, particle [...] Read more.

Microplastics (MPs) are a new type of pollutant widely distributed in the environment. The ecological risks caused by MPs are becoming increasingly serious, especially in cultivated land where pollution is more likely to accumulate. In this paper, the effects of different types, particle sizes, and concentrations of MPs on the seed germination of non-heading Chinese cabbage were analyzed to reveal their potential mechanisms. Five types of MPs, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS), were used for correlation analysis. The results showed that the effect of PVC and PET on seed germination was greater than that of PP, PS, and PE. PVC and PP promoted the growth of germinated seeds, while PET and PS showed a certain degree of inhibition. The effect of MPs with a particle size of 6.5–150 μm on seed germination was obvious. Low-concentration MPs (<1 g/L) had a weak inhibitory effect on seed germination. When the concentration was 1 g/L, 75 μm-PP, 75 μm-PVC, and 150 μm-PS promoted the growth of germinated seeds, while 48 μm PET showed inhibition. At high concentration, PP and PS inhibited amylase activity. In general, MPs’ effects showed significant differences according to different types, particle sizes, and concentrations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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19 pages, 1768 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Assessment of Agricultural Waste Biogas Production System in China Based on Emergy and Carbon Evaluation Methods

by Bin Yang, Weiguo Jia, Yi Yu and Hui Zhang

Agriculture 2024, 14(11), 1912; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14111912 - 28 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1020

Abstract

Biogas production is widely recognized as an effective solution for addressing agricultural waste treatment in rural areas. However, its development is often hindered by economic and environmental constraints. This study combined emergy evaluation and carbon footprint analysis methods to establish a new environmental [...] Read more.

Biogas production is widely recognized as an effective solution for addressing agricultural waste treatment in rural areas. However, its development is often hindered by economic and environmental constraints. This study combined emergy evaluation and carbon footprint analysis methods to establish a new environmental radius assessment model for evaluating the ecological performance and optimization direction of an agricultural waste biogas production system, using a biogas production company in China as a case study. Compared with the straw return model and straw power generation model, the results of emergy indicators and carbon accounting showed that the biogas production model had a lower environmental load and higher economic output and level of emergy sustainability. Additionally, the biogas production system was found to reduce 0.47 kg of carbon emissions per 1 kg of agricultural waste utilized. The application of the biogas production model in rural areas had high ecological sustainability and carbon emission reduction benefits. Environmental radius assessment results confirmed that the reasonable changes in resource collection distance could further enhance the ecological sustainability, carbon mitigation ability, and economic benefits of the biogas production system. The environmental radius assessment method offers a new approach to the location planning of agricultural waste biogas utilization companies in rural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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13 pages, 1114 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Light at Night Reduces the Surface Activity of Earthworms, Increases the Growth of a Cover Crop and Reduces Water Leaching

by Zenia Kavassilas, Marion Mittmannsgruber, Edith Gruber and Johann G. Zaller

Land 2024, 13(10), 1698; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101698 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1090

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN), also known as light pollution, is a growing environmental problem worldwide. However, only a few studies have examined whether soil organisms that search for food at the surface at night can be affected by ALAN. We investigated the [...] Read more.

Artificial light at night (ALAN), also known as light pollution, is a growing environmental problem worldwide. However, only a few studies have examined whether soil organisms that search for food at the surface at night can be affected by ALAN. We investigated the effects of ALAN on the above-ground foraging activity of anecic earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), on the soil water infiltration and on the germination and growth of a cover crop (Phacelia tanacetifolia). In a full-factorial greenhouse experiment, we tested four factors: ALAN (about 5 lx during the night vs. total darkness), earthworms (two specimens vs. none), plant species (Phacelia alone vs. mixed with ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and sowing depth (surface-sown vs. sown in 5 cm depth). Data were analysed using multifactorial ANOVAs. Earthworms removed 51% less surface litter under ALAN than under dark conditions. ALAN had no effect on Phacelia germination but resulted in increased height growth and biomass production when the seeds were buried. Earthworms reduced Phacelia germination and biomass production. ALAN reduced water leaching through the experimental units, probably due to interactions between the subsurface casts and plant roots. We conclude that ALAN, as emitted from streetlights, can lead to complex ecological effects in ecosystems that merit further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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26 pages, 4120 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

How Does High-Standard Farmland Construction Affect Agroecological Efficiency—From the Perspective of Factor Endowment

by Jin Ren, Xinrui Chen, Zimeng Miao and Tingting Gao

Land 2024, 13(10), 1673; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101673 - 14 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1014

Abstract

Based on the factor endowment theory and the agriculture-induced technological innovation theory, this study examines the impact of high-standard farmland construction (HFC) on agricultural ecological efficiency (AEE) and sustainable agricultural development. Using empirical data from 30 provinces in China between 2005 and 2022, [...] Read more.

Based on the factor endowment theory and the agriculture-induced technological innovation theory, this study examines the impact of high-standard farmland construction (HFC) on agricultural ecological efficiency (AEE) and sustainable agricultural development. Using empirical data from 30 provinces in China between 2005 and 2022, it explores how high-standard farmland construction techniques can enhance AEE, considering factor endowment preferences and geographical characteristics. Empirical research indicates that high-standard farmland significantly enhances AEE, particularly in the eastern region, the main grain-producing areas, and the regions with less geographical fluctuation. Additionally, agricultural innovations, capital accumulation, and land circulation reinforce the benefits of such construction, whereas labor mobility has a moderating effect. Quantile regression analyses show that the impact of HFC on AEE initially increases and then diminishes, potentially due to inadequate post-management and maintenance. Consequently, the study recommends that the government enhance policy support and supervision for high-standard farmland projects, integrate agricultural technology with capital accumulation, optimize human resource allocation, guide labor mobility, and reform land transfer systems to boost AEE and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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16 pages, 35639 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Risk Assessment Method for Phosphorus Loss in Intensive Agricultural Areas—A Case Study in Henan Province, China

by Linlin Gao, Yong Wu, Ling Li, Chi Sun, Donghao Li and Xueke Liu

Agriculture 2024, 14(10), 1681; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14101681 - 26 Sep 2024

Viewed by 736

Abstract

Agricultural phosphorus (P) loss constitutes a significant factor in agricultural non-point source pollution (ANSP). Due to the widespread occurrence and complexity of ANSP, emphasis on risk prevention and control is preferable to retroactive treatment, to reduce costs. Effective risk identification is an issue [...] Read more.

Agricultural phosphorus (P) loss constitutes a significant factor in agricultural non-point source pollution (ANSP). Due to the widespread occurrence and complexity of ANSP, emphasis on risk prevention and control is preferable to retroactive treatment, to reduce costs. Effective risk identification is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Henan Province, a typical intensive agricultural region in China, was used as a case study to develop a straightforward and precise model for assessing the risk of P loss. Total phosphorus (TP) emission intensity at the county level in Henan Province was estimated based on planting, livestock and poultry breeding, and rural domestic activities. Subsequently, influential factors were selected to determine the extent of P loss in rivers. Finally, the model was validated using water quality data. The results indicate that (1) TP emission and rainfall are the primary contributors to the risk of P loss, whereas vegetation coverage has negligible effects. (2) The primary sources of TP emission, in descending order of magnitude, are livestock and poultry breeding, rural domestic activities, and planting. Livestock and poultry breeding represents the largest proportion at approximately 50%. (3) High-risk areas for P loss are concentrated in the plains of the central, eastern, and northern Henan Province, while low-risk areas are mainly located in the western mountainous and hilly regions. (4) The model exhibits high accuracy with a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.81 when compared to surface water quality monitoring data. This study provides a new framework for assessing the risk of P loss in intensive agricultural settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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23 pages, 636 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Farmers’ Participation in the Transformation of the Farmland Transfer Market on the Adoption of Agricultural Green Production Technologies

by Tianshu Quan, Weiguo Jia, Tianli Quan and Yuyun Xu

Agriculture 2024, 14(10), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14101677 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 862

Abstract

Exploring the adoption of green production technologies by farmers (GTA) is of great significance, given the context of global climate change and sustainable agricultural development. This article starts from the perspective of the transformation of the farmland transfer market, based on research data [...] Read more.

Exploring the adoption of green production technologies by farmers (GTA) is of great significance, given the context of global climate change and sustainable agricultural development. This article starts from the perspective of the transformation of the farmland transfer market, based on research data from 2076 farmers, and uses the endogenous disposal effect model to examine its impact on GTA. The results indicate that the transformation of China’s farmland transfer market has a significant “greening” effect on agriculture. Specifically, the paid transfer of farmland, written leases, and clear lease forms promote GTA, while acquaintance transactions are not conducive to it. Participation in the farmland transfer market has increased the likelihood of GTA by 18.7% and is statistically significant at the 1% level. However, the adoption level of green production technology by ordinary farmers remains low, and achieving green development in agriculture is a long and arduous task. Mechanism analysis shows that the transformation of the farmland transfer market can effectively enhance GTA by increasing the scale of operations, farmers’ income, and mechanization levels. When the transfer targets new business entities, such as family farms, professional cooperatives, and enterprises, it significantly promotes GTA. The findings suggest that deepening the reform of the farmland transfer market, promoting large-scale agricultural operations, strengthening the application of green production technologies, improving the level of agricultural mechanization, and accelerating the process of sustainable agricultural development are all essential steps toward enhancing GTA and, ultimately, achieving sustainable agricultural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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19 pages, 4920 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Scallop Shells and Starfish (Asterias amurensis) on Stabilization of Metalloid (As) and Heavy Metal (Pb and Zn)-Contaminated Soil

by Se Hyun Park, Sang Hyeop Park, Agamemnon Koutsospyros and Deok Hyun Moon

Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1781; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081781 - 13 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1285

Abstract

Mining and industrial operations are often associated with metalloid and heavy metal contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals can weaken the soil’s purification ability to remediate and can accumulate in the human body through crops grown in contaminated soil. In this [...] Read more.

Mining and industrial operations are often associated with metalloid and heavy metal contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals can weaken the soil’s purification ability to remediate and can accumulate in the human body through crops grown in contaminated soil. In this study, a stabilization method was applied for the remediation of arsenic (As) and heavy metal (Pb and Zn) contaminated soil. Scallop shells (SLS) and starfish (Asterias amurensis, ASF), commonly regarded as waste resource materials, are selected as stabilizers. Proper recycling/reuse measures are required to limit uncontrolled disposal of SLS and ASF, prevent environmental degradation of coastal areas, and take advantage of their high calcium carbonate contents. The stabilizers were processed through −#10 mesh (0.2 mm) and −#20 mesh (0.85 mm) sieves. In addition, calcined stabilizers were produced by calcining SLS and ASF at 900 °C to compare stabilization efficiency based on the presence/absence of high-temperature heat treatment. Each of the three types of processed stabilizers was added to contaminated soil at 2 to 10 wt.%, and the mixtures were subjected to wet curing for 28 days. Extraction with 0.1 N HCl was applied for stabilization efficiency assessment. Crops were cultivated in the stabilized soil to evaluate As and heavy metal immobilization capacity. Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) established that calcite (CaCO₃) was observed in the natural materials and quicklime (CaO) in the calcined materials. The stabilization efficiency assessment results showed that treatment with SLS and ASF effectively reduced the elution of Pb and Zn. SLS was effective in immobilizing As, but the application of natural ASF increased the leachability of As due to the presence of organic matter. However, applying calcined ASF effectively immobilized As because the organic matter was removed at high temperatures. When the transition of As and heavy metals to crops was evaluated, Pb concentrations that exceeded the criterion for leafy vegetables were detected in the lettuce grown in contaminated soil. However, Pb was not detected in the lettuce grown in SLS- and ASF-treated soil, confirming the stability of heavy metal immobilization. Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis showed that the pozzolanic reaction is related to heavy metal immobilization, and Ca–As precipitation is related to the immobilization of As. The results of this study verified that SLS and ASF effectively immobilize As and heavy metals (Pb and Zn) around mines and that they can be used safely in agricultural soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental Pollution in Modern Agriculture: Causes, Effect, and Control)

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