Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element present in the lithosphere, and it constitutes one of the major inorganic nutrient elements of many plants. Although Si is a nonessential nutrient element, its beneficial role in stimulating the growth and development of many plant species has been generally recognized. Silicon is known to effectively reduce disease severity in many plant pathosystems. The key mechanisms of Si-mediated increased plant disease resistance involve improving mechanical properties of cell walls, activating multiple signaling pathways leading to the expression of defense responsive genes and producing antimicrobial compounds. This article highlights the importance and applicability of Si fertilizers in integrated disease management for crops.

Bollworms comprise the most harmful and economically relevant species of lepidopteran. Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (D.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is native to America and affects many crops. Tobacco is an industrial crop in which methods of pest control rely mainly on the application of insecticides. To develop new eco-friendly strategies against insect pests it is very important to overcome the side effects of insecticides. The utilization of fungal entomopathogens as endophytes is a new perspective that may accomplish good results. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of endophytic Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. to affect H. gelotopoeon life parameters and feeding behavior on tobacco plants. Beauveria bassiana LPSC 1215 as an endophyte did not reduce the amount of vegetal material consumed by H. gelotopoeon larvae but affected the life cycle period of the plague, particularly the larval and adult stages. Also, egg fertility was affected since adults laid eggs that were not able to hatch. The results of this investigation provide new information on endophytic entomopathogen potential to be incorporated in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.

The study aims at evaluating crop insurance effects on the farms’ production and investment indicators in Lithuania. The Common Agricultural Policy after 2020 considers measures helping farmers to adapt to climate change. For this reason, it is essential to evaluate existing risk management measures in order to propose appropriate schemes for the next programming period. In order to evaluate crop insurance effects on the farms’ production and investment indicators farm-level, data from Farm Accountancy Data Network dataset and propensity score matching approach was used. Study period was 2008–2017. The study revealed that participation in crop insurance schemes was influenced by the factors such as age of the farmer, wealth, specialization, and location of the farm. The study also demonstrated that crop insurance did not show statistically significant effects on the selected farms’ indicators. The main reason was support from the national and EU funds.

According to many experts, the water crisis will be one of the most important challenges in the coming years on the planet. Watershed management is one of the most effective ways to conserve rainwater and develop water resources. The purpose of the study was to obtain a model of critical land management in the Welang watershed area. This study uses a dynamic systems approach based on a causal philosophy (cause and effect) through a deep understanding of how a system works. The parameters used are based on sustainable agriculture in terms of physical sustainability aspects/critical land from erosion factor indicators. Model validation is done by comparing the behaviour of the model with a natural system (quantitive behaviour pattern comparison), namely the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) Middle-Value Test. Modelling is supported by Powersim Studio Express Software ver. 10. The results show that the physical sustainability model/critical land using a simulation scenario of 25% erosion control funds shows a trend of increasing production land area and tackled land area followed by a decrease in annual erosion weight. The economic sustainability model obtained results at the end of the projected year showing farm revenues IDR 63,591,396 (USD1 ≈ IDR14.27 thous. in average in 2021). This means that the higher the acceptance value, the farming can provide economic welfare for farmers.

The concept of regenerative agriculture increased as a response to the progressive degradation of soils intensively used in agriculture and the need to restore their biodiversity and fertility. A characteristic feature of this concept is not only to reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment, but also to improve its quality. The most characteristic elements of the concept of regenerative agriculture include: restoring soil health, including increasing the capacity to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change and reversing biodiversity loss. The EASAC report on regenerative agriculture relates mainly to the European Green Deal, and is a critical analysis of the scientific evidence base on the practices of regenerative agriculture to meet the main targets of the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategy, carbon storage and food production. The publication of the report on regenerative agriculture by EASAC became an inspiration for organizing a seminar entitled “Regenerative Agriculture” on May 25, 2022. The seminar was organized as cooperation of three scientific committees of the Polish Academy of Sciences: the Committee of Agronomic Sciences, the Committee of Animal Sciences and Aquaculture and the Committee of Veterinary Sciences and Reproductive Biology, being an excellent forum for discussing such an important issue.