Agroecological Approaches and Smart Nutrient Management for Resilient Land Use and Food Systems

About this Research Topic

Background

Global agriculture is at a critical situation, which is challenged by soil degradation, climate variability, declining nutrient use efficiency and growing food demands. The conventional input-intensive farming has often undermined long-term soil health and ecosystem services. In response, agro-ecological approaches are gaining momentum as a science based, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable alternative. These novel approaches emphasize biodiversity, ecological balance and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern innovations. Simultaneously, the smart nutrient management powered by digital tools, AI models, and site-specific data offers the potential to optimize fertilizer use, reduce losses, and enhance crop productivity. The convergence of agroecology and digital nutrient solutions presents a unique opportunity to transform food and land use systems into more resilient, adaptive and sustainable models. This Research Topic invites interdisciplinary efforts to explore these synergies for future ready agriculture.

Modern agriculture is increasingly confronted with the dual challenge of maintaining high productivity while safeguarding environmental and soil health. Excessive reliance on synthetic fertilizers has led to nutrient imbalances, groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and declining soil fertility. At the same time, climate change continues to exacerbate land degradation and disrupt food production systems. To address these challenges, there is an urgent need to transition from linear, input heavy nutrient practices to circular, adaptive and knowledge-intensive systems. This Research Topic aims to explore the integration of agro-ecological principles with smart nutrient management tools to enhance land use resilience and food system sustainability. Recent advances in remote sensing, AI-powered diagnostics, precision agriculture, and digital soil mapping have opened new frontiers for site-specific, resource-efficient nutrient management. When combined with agroecological strategies such as intercropping, composting, and legume-based rotations, these innovations can regenerate soils, optimize yields and improve nutrient use efficiency. This collection seeks contributions that bridge ecological science, digital technology, and practical applications to redesign resilient agroecosystems.

This Research Topic invites original research, reviews, case studies, and perspective articles that address the intersection of agro-ecological practices and smart nutrient management to build resilient land use and food systems. The editors encourage interdisciplinary contributions that explore innovative approaches integrating ecological principles with digital, data-driven, AI-enabled nutrient management tools etc.

• Agro-ecological intensification and circular nutrient economy

• Case studies demonstrating scalable, resilient farming practices

• Modeling and decision-support systems for nutrient planning

• Policy frameworks and socio-economic dimensions of sustainable nutrient use

• Precision nutrient management using remote sensing, AI & IoT technologies

• Region specific nutrient use strategies under climate stress

• Soil health restoration through integrated approach

Authors from agronomy, soil science, agroecology, environmental, data science, and sustainability disciplines are encouraged to contribute manuscripts that offer conceptual insights, field-level innovations, or cross-sectoral syntheses.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Agroecological Intensification, Digitally Driven Nutrient Optimization, Smart Nutrient Management, Climate Resilient Land Use, Sustainable Food Systems

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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