Issue №: 1 (40)
This issue of the journal is devoted to current issues related to the optimization of technological elements in the cultivation of agricultural crops. Considerable attention is paid to the specific features of growing vegetable and cereal crops, which play an important role in ensuring the state’s food security. The scientific publications present research results on the role of leguminous crops in improving soil fertility, the development of domestic and international adaptive breeding, as well as the application of mineral and foliar fertilization to increase the productivity of agroecosystems. Separate studies are devoted to improving the efficiency of forest management and to issues related to landscape greening.
AGROECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ORGANIC SOYBEAN PRODUCTION IN EU COUNTRIES
Jolanta Puczel, dr inż. International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża, Poland, jolanta.puczel@wp.pl; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1713-7058.
This article examines a range of agroecological factors influencing the efficiency of organic soybean cultivation within the European Union. The significance of the topic stems from the EU’s strategic focus on achieving protein self-sufficiency and meeting the objectives of the "Farm to Fork" strategy, which aims to expand organic farmland to 25% by 2030. At the same time, increasing climate instability presents new obstacles for pesticide-free agricultural practices. The study aims to provide a systematic analysis of the current state of the EU organic soybean sector, identify key abiotic risks, and propose adaptation strategies to enhance crop yields. The research methodology combines statistical analysis of data from Eurostat and FiBL, a comparative review of regional practices in France, Austria, Romania, and Germany, as well as a content analysis of recent field experiments conducted by European research institutions. Findings reveal that while organic soybean acreage has grown significantly-by 158% over five years-yields remain inconsistent due to hydrothermal stress. The most critical challenges identified include flower abortion under temperatures above 32°C and reduced nitrogen fixation caused by insufficient moisture levels. The study highlights that effective adaptation in the EU relies on three key strategies: selecting ultra-early soybean varieties (maturity groups 000/00), using heat-resistant inoculants, and adopting water-saving techniques such as cover crops and living mulch. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive analysis of the conflict between organic farming standards and climatic constraints. The practical importance of these findings lies in the potential application of European adaptive farming models in Ukraine to strengthen its role as a major exporter of organic protein. Specific recommendations include localizing soybean breeding efforts and introducing precision mechanical methods for weed control to further enhance productivity.
1. Mazur V., Didur І., Tkachuk О., Pantsyreva Н., Ovcharuk V. (2021). Agroecological stability of cultivars of sparsely distributed legumes in the context of climate change. Scientific Horizons. Vol. 24, № 1. Р. 54-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor.24(1).2021.54-60 [in English].
2. Mazur O., Mazur O., Tymoshchuk T., Didur I., Tsyhanskyi V. (2024). Study of legume-rhizobia symbiosis in soybean for agroecosystem resilience. Scientific Horizons. Vol. 24, № 11. Р. 68-89. DOI: 10.48077/scihor11.2024.68 [in English].
3. Petrychenko V., Lykhochvor V., Didur I., Pantsyreva H. Scientific aspects of organic soy productionin Ukraine. Chemistry-Didactics-Ecology-Metrology. 2024. Vol. 29, Issue 1-2. P. 111-121. DOI: 10.2478/cdem-2024-0008 [in English].
4. The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2024. FiBL & IFOAM. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) & IFOAM – Organics International. 2024. 352 p. [in English].
5. Petrychenko V., Didur I., Pantsyreva H., Volynets Ye. (2025). Agroecological assessment of technologies for growing legumes. Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology. Vol. 26 (3). P. 393–403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12912/27197050/200442 [in English].
6. Reckling M. (2022). Soybean resilience to drought is supported by partial recovery of photosynthetic traits. Frontiers in Plant Science. Vol. 13. Art. 971893. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.971893 [in English].
7. Westermeier P. (2023). Impact of Microbial Strain on the Nitrogen Fixation of Soybean (Glycine max L.) Plants. Vol. 12, Issue 19. Art. 3097. DOI: 10.3390/plants12193097 [in English].
8. Didur I., Bakhmat M., Сhynchyk O., Pantsyreva H., Telekalo N., Tkachuk O. (2020). Substantiation of agroecological factors on soybean agrophytocenoses by analysis of variance of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe in Ukraine. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology. Vol. 10, № 5. Р. 54-61. DOI: 10.15421/2020_206. [in English].
9. Nendel C., Reckling M. (2022). Future area expansion outweighs increasing drought risk for soybean in Europe. Global Change Biology. Vol. 29, Issue 3. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16562 [in English].
10. Zimmer S. (2020). Characterization of Rhizobia for the Improvement of Soybean Cultivation at Cold Conditions in Central Europe. MicrobiologyOpen. Vol. 9, Issue 4. Art. e1002. DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1002 [in English].
About the journal
Cluster Agricultural and veterinary sciences (H1 Agronomy, H2 Animal Science, H3 Landscape Gardening, H4 Forestry, H6 Veterinary Medicine, and H7 Agricultural Engineering)
Purpose of the Scientific Journal. The purpose of the scientific journal "Agriculture and Forestry" is to present the results of fundamental and applied research in the fields of agricultural sciences and forestry aimed at improving the efficiency of agricultural production, and implementing modern technologies into practical management activities.
This purpose determines the main objectives:
– to ensure open informational access to the results of relevant scientific research for lecturers of agricultural higher education institutions, PhD students, doctoral candidates, researchers, and specialists in agricultural production;
– to promote the development of young scientists in the fields of agricultural and veterinary sciences;
– to intensify communication between experienced researchers and young scientists in agronomy, animal science, landscape gardening, forestry, veterinary medicine, and agricultural engineering;
– to promote the expansion of cooperation between Vinnytsia National Agrarian University and domestic and international educational institutions, research organizations, and their academic communities.
Journal History:
Scientific journal "AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY" was founded in 1995; it was entitled as Bulletin of Vinnytsya State Agricultural Institute.
In 2010-2014 was enritled as Collection of scientific works of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University.
It has been named as Agriculture and Forestry since 2015.
Listed in the updated list of scientific professional editions of Ukraine on agricultural sciences under the name Agriculture and Forestry (Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine of May 16, 2016; No. 515).
Since 2015, "Agriculture and Forestry". (archive of previous issues for 2015-2019) at http://forestry.vsau.edu.ua/.
According to the order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 17.03.2020 № 409. The journal Agriculture and Forestry is included in the List of scientific professional publications of Ukraine Category "B" in agricultural sciences (specialties) - 101, 201, 202, 203, 205, 206.
