Research & reports

B. BOLOU-BI Emile, Philippe GUETY Thierry, TRAORE Adama, KONE Brahima · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Global

To evaluate the effect of biochar on tomato production in acidic soil, a complete randomized block design with 5 replications tested four treatments: 0% (T0, control), 8% (T1), 12% (T2) and 16% (T3) biochar application, measuring plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, fruit number and biomass. Plants receiving biochar (T1, T2, T3) were taller than the unamended control (T0); T1 plants averaged 12±2 fruits per plant, while T0 control plants produced no fruit at all, and T2/T3 fruit counts fell between the control and T1. Soil chemical analysis showed exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, pH, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and C/N ratio all higher than the initial soil, though treatments had no significant effect on soil enzymic activity. The study recommends recovering waste as an organic material source in urban horticulture and open-field cultivation to restore soil fertility.

Samah El Khateeb, Mariam Saber, Indjy M. Shawket · Ain Shams Engineering Journal · Egypt

A 2023 study by researchers at Ain Shams University, Egypt, asking how gender roles shape small-scale home gardening — which spread during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income communities — and whether the benefits are distributed equally between men and women or skewed towards one gender. The team ran a quantitative survey and tested its hypotheses using WarpPLS (partial least squares structural equation modelling) to examine the relationships between gender, gardening activities and the benefits obtained. The authors pose the equal-versus-skewed distribution of benefits as an explicit research question and frame the results as material for urban authorities seeking to create a fair and inclusive environment. The abstract does not specify sample size, sampling method or the cities covered, and the cross-sectional design does not establish causation.

新保 奈穂美 · 世田谷区 都市農業関連研究報告 · Japan

Analyses Tamaribatake, a community garden piloted under Setagaya's proposal-based partnership programme, clarifying conditions that secure participants' freedom without rigid rules and offering operational insight for municipally supported community farms.

Gumisiriza M.S., Ndakidemi P.A., Mbega E.R. · MethodsX, 9:101882 · Tanzania

A methods paper presenting a simplified, non-greenhouse hydroponic system built from low-cost, readily available materials using the Kratky method, with detailed step-by-step instructions. Requiring no specialised equipment or power, it offers a reproducible, self-buildable approach to soilless vegetable growing in confined urban spaces, supporting DIY and maker-style citizen food production.

· International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Global

Systematic review positioning decentralized composting as a waste management tool in the context of new global trends.

Ejigu N., Sitotaw B., Girmay S., Assaye H. · International Journal of Food Science · Ethiopia

Evaluates water hyacinth biomass, alone or mixed with wheat/teff straw, as a low-cost substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation. The authors conclude water hyacinth is a promising cheap substrate owing to its ideal C/N ratio and low lignin, while also helping control the invasive weed.

Fernandes L., Fernandes J.R., Tavares P.B. · Solar · Portugal

Builds and tests two indirect solar dryer prototypes for fruits and vegetables using low-cost, reused materials (wood, styrofoam, recycled aluminum cans). Reports drying kinetics comparable to a commercial electric dryer, cutting waste from domestic over-production.

· Journal of Food Processing and Preservation · Brazil

Designs, constructs, and applies a low-cost solar dryer, studying the drying kinetics of araticum fruit pulp. Demonstrates a self-built, inexpensive dryer for preserving and adding value to produce.

Dufera L.T. · Journal of Food Quality · Jimma, Ethiopia

Dries tomato slices in a twin-layer solar tunnel dryer under Ethiopian conditions, testing how different pre-drying treatments affect physicochemical quality and drying kinetics. Addresses low-cost tunnel-type solar drying for vegetable preservation.

· Aquaculture International · Global

The paper argues that low-cost aquaponics can support food security and socio-economic development in poor communities, and defines the critical success factors needed to realize such systems.

Gumisiriza M.S., Ndakidemi P., Nalunga A., Mbega E.R. · Sustainable Cities and Society · Africa

A cost-effectiveness analysis (net present value, internal rate of return, payback period) of a small-scale non-greenhouse vertical hydroponic system, examining its contribution to urban food security.

· Agriculture · Tanzania

Examines micro-investment by smallholders in affordable drip irrigation kits (bundled with seeds, inputs and advice) for vegetable production and improved livelihoods and nutrition.

Dominici L., Comino E., Torpy F., Irga P. · Plants · Italy / Australia

An exploratory review of vertical greening system designs from scientific literature and community/commercial solutions, defining eight design models via six structural criteria and interviewing seven community garden groups to guide low-cost, small-scale DIY systems.

· Environment, Development and Sustainability · Sri Lanka

Explores composing a low-cost green roof substrate from locally available organic wastes, arguing that organic wastes offer higher plant-nutrient content, water retention and suitable pH compared with recycled aggregates.

· Agronomy · Global

Investigates replacing conventional hydroponic media such as cocodust with compost from locally sourced grocery waste, testing four mixtures (20–80% waste compost) on hydroponic lettuce over 35 days.

· SOIL · United States

Describes an underground, wireless, open-source, low-cost system using LoRa to monitor soil oxygen, temperature, and moisture; the logging, power, and communication components cost about USD 150, much cheaper than commercial solutions.

Puig F., Rodríguez Díaz J.A., Soriano M.A. · Agronomy · Spain

Develops a low-cost, open-source IoT platform for smart irrigation that supports many sensors and can be easily integrated with other platforms.

Kim J.Y., Abdel-Haleem H., Luo Z., Szczepanek A. · Smart Agricultural Technology · United States

Develops a portable high-throughput phenotyping system using a microcontroller and a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, extended with soil moisture monitoring and water-pump control for automated irrigation using open-source electronics.

Rayhan Ramadhani, Sarah Natalia, Faurica Nurul Syifa, Maulida Asha Sabilla, Arya Prayoga, Moch. Imron Rosyidi · Community Empowerment · Indonesia

In Bromo Hamlet, Kalinegoro Village, Indonesia, the KKN GNRM program on urban farming was held to maintain food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program aimed to provide knowledge, insight, and experience to boost organic vegetable production on narrow land through hydroponic training. The KKN GNRM increased public awareness of urban farming and hydroponics as a source of food security during the pandemic.

Tina McIntyre, Rachel Gutner, Tiare Saracino, Jacqlyn Rivas, Esen Momol · EDIS · United States (Florida)

This 7-page publication from the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department serves as a guide for homeowners and professionals on best practices for mulching. Mulching involves spreading material around the base of a plant to protect it, conserve moisture, or suppress weeds. The guide discusses mulch sources, application techniques, and management practices, clarifying the mulch needs of fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, and vegetables to promote plant health.

Victоria Kryuchkova, Vitaly Donskih, Yuri Gorbunov, Tatiana Aniskina, О. С. Волкова · АгроЭкоИнфо · Russia (Moscow)

This 2011-2022 study at the MBG RAS laboratory in Moscow, Russia, assessed 20 wild apple tree species for their landscaping potential. While Malus baccata, M. neidzwedzkyana, M. x zumi, M. sargentii, and M. mandshurica were identified as promising for urban conditions, M. ioensis showed low frost resistance and M. fusca and M. sievesii were susceptible to scab infestation, limiting their suitability for urban gardening in Moscow.

Riri Octarina Sandy, Asran Asran, Kartika Kartika · Jurnal Litek Jurnal Listrik Telekomunikasi Elektronika · Indonesia

This research aimed to design and build an automatic plant watering system for urban home gardens, specifically for chili plants, using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The system utilized a NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller, a soil moisture sensor, an HC-SR04 water availability sensor, and an LCD I2C display, with the Blynk application for plant monitoring. The system was successfully designed and built, with component configurations and power supply tests showing stable operation. Overall humidity tests on three soil types, comparing manual and automatic methods, showed an average error of 19%.

Yurisandra Sierra Reyes, Ernesto Juniors Pérez Torres, Ana de Dios Martínez, Manuel Francisco Rodríguez Saldaña, Arialsis Adán Verdugo · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Cuba (Camagüey)

To evaluate the use of agroecological technologies in the Urban Farm of Camagüey municipality, semi-structured anonymous surveys were applied to 77 managers and producers (43 producers, 34 managers) working in the Urban, Suburban, and Family Agriculture Program. The surveys identified agroecological technologies such as crop rotation and intercropping, biofertilizers, insect traps, and biological products. Organopónicos, semi-protected, and intensive gardens were identified as the units systematically applying these technologies, with farms and plots doing so to a lesser extent.

Novian Wely Asmoro, Sri Hartati, Agustina Intan Niken Tari, Purwanto Purwanto, Muhammad Fathul Anwar · Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat · Indonesia (Sukoharjo)

In Dusun Walang, Sukoharjo, Indonesia, community service activities introduced urban farming to millennial generation members of a youth organization to increase their interest in agriculture. The activities involved counseling and practice on urban farming concepts, household waste management, and verticulture. Evaluation using pretest, posttest, and practice assessment showed 93% partner involvement and an 85% increase in understanding of urban farming cultivation, from an initial 54% to 100% after the activity.

Dwi Haryanta, Tatuk Tojibatus Sa’adah, Ristani Widya Inti · Indonesian Collaboration Journal of Community Services (ICJCS) · Indonesia (Surabaya)

In RW 02 Kalirungkut, Surabaya, Indonesia, a community empowerment activity provided knowledge on managing tree pruning waste into useful compost for urban farming practices. The program utilized Participatory Rapid Rural Appraisal and Rapid and Rural Appraisal methods. The community resolved tree pruning waste disposal issues within 3 months and harvested 15 cubic meters of compost, recognizing its economic value.