Mitigating Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Bio-Inputs and Innovative Practices

Agriculture plays a major role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, largely due to the use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers and livestock management practices, which are key sources of GHGs with substantial global warming potential. While much research has centered on these areas, there is increasing interest in examining other contributing factors, such as emissions from pesticide use, though these are less well understood. Innovative and regenerative agricultural practices present opportunities to reduce emissions while boosting yields, enhancing ecosystem services, and benefiting human well-being.

In this context, we introduce the term "agricultural bio-inputs," which refers to inputs derived from enzymes, plant or microorganism extracts, microorganisms, macroorganisms, and secondary metabolites. These bio-inputs show promise for reducing dependence on synthetic agricultural products, such as fertilizers and pesticides, and can potentially lessen the environmental impacts of conventional practices while maintaining or even increasing crop yields. However, comprehensive studies are needed to quantify their overall effectiveness, particularly concerning their impact on GHG emissions, as some bio-inputs might also affect field-level emissions.

This research topic aims to explore the role of agricultural bio-inputs in crop management and their potential to lower GHG emissions while supporting high crop yields. The primary objectives include understanding the effectiveness of bio-inputs compared to traditional methods, evaluating innovative agricultural practices, and assessing the environmental trade-offs associated with bio-inputs as alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Key questions include: How do bio-inputs compare to conventional methods in terms of GHG emissions and yield outputs? What are the latest advancements in bio-input technologies? How can bio-inputs be integrated into existing agricultural systems to maximize their environmental, economic, and productivity benefits?

We invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Innovative strategies for reducing GHG emissions in agriculture while maintaining yield
- Development and application of agricultural bio-inputs
- Comparative studies on the effectiveness of bio-inputs versus synthetic inputs in terms of emissions and yield
- Case studies on the successful implementation of bio-inputs across diverse agricultural systems
- Environmental, economic, and yield impacts of adopting bio-inputs
- Policy and regulatory frameworks supporting the use of bio-inputs
- Technological advancements in bio-input production and application
- Progress in measurement and quantification techniques for GHG emissions and yield in agriculture
- Integration of bio-inputs with other sustainable agricultural practices to enhance productivity

By advancing research in these areas, we aim to better understand the potential of agricultural bio-inputs to contribute to sustainable farming, support high yield outputs, and achieve global climate goals.

Keywords: agriculture, greenhouse gases, GHG emissions, abiotic stress, plant biotechnology

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.