The integration of Precision Agriculture (PA) technologies into organic farming offers substantial potential for enhancing efficiency and sustainability, yet adoption rates vary significantly across countries. This study presents a model for assessing PA adoption in organic farming within the Visegrad Group countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia using a survey-based approach. Key technologies examined include drones, sensors, and robots used in organic crop and livestock production. Findings indicate that the Czech Republic leads in drone usage for soil monitoring (70 %), Hungary excels in soil moisture sensors (55 %), Slovakia prioritizes drones for fertilizer application (75 %), and Poland shows significant use of robots for harvesting and seed planting (33 %). This model effectively highlights cross-country differences in PA technology adoption and associated environmental outcomes, addressing a gap in understanding PA use in organic farming in Visegrad group countries. The results of the study provide actionable insights for improving the adoption of Precision Agriculture technologies in organic farming across the selected countries. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders promoting sustainable agricultural innovation. Limitations include reliance on survey data, which may impact broader applicability, and a geographic focus on the Visegrad region, suggesting the need for future studies in other areas.

This investigation was conducted to determine the effect of organic fertilizers on the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, antioxidant activity, crude fibre, and zinc in two onion cultivars, Stuttgarter Riesen and Rote Laaer, during 2016, 2017, and 2018. In this research, the following treatments were used: B-Stimul (contains Azospirillum Tarrand et al., Azotobacter Beij., Bacillus Cohn, Chlorella vulgaris Beij., and Herbaspirillum Baldani et al.), EkoBooster 2 (contains biostimulators and mineral salts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and Vermifit A (extract of compost of Californian earthworm). The results showed that the application of biofertilizers to onion resulted in the highest chlorophyll b content in 2017 in Stuttgarter Riesen. EkoBooster 2 positively affected crude fibre content in both cultivars, but only in 2016. Antioxidant activity was not significantly affected by the interaction of experimental factors. The application of the biostimulating fertilizers can have a positive impact on the quality parameters of onion, but the kind of fertilizer must be suited to seasonal conditions and the cultivar.

The present study evaluated the effect of different organic fertilizers on the morphological parameters and yield in two different onion cultivars. Proper use of organic fertilizers in appropriate amounts could be helpful to growers from the economic point of view. Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of three different organic biofertilizers on yield and morphological parameters of two onion cultivars ‘Stuttgarter Riesen’ and ‘Rote Laaer’ during 2016 and 2017. The investigated treatments included: B-Stimul ^® – a mixture of bacterial and algal extracts, EkoBooster 2 ^® – organic matter and NPK, and VermiFit A® – an extract of compost produced by Californian earthworms, peat, nutrients, plant hormones, enzymes, amino acids, and sugars. The following parameters of onion plants were evaluated: number of leaves, bulb diameter, bulb weight, marketable and total yields. The study showed that all the results were affected by the growing season (higher values were recorded in 2016). In ‘Stuttgarter Riesen’, EkoBooster 2 ^® application resulted in the highest bulb weight in 2016 (67.16 g) and in 2017 (55.17 g) and in the highest number of leaves in 2016 (6.66) and in 2017 (6.30), which led to the highest marketable bulb yield in 2016 (3.47 kg m ⁻² ) and in 2017 (2.53 kg m ⁻² ). In ‘Rote Laaer’ in 2016, EkoBooster 2 ^® application resulted in the highest number of leaves (7.06), bulb diameter (54.32 mm) and bulb weight (79.30 g). In 2017, the largest bulb diameter (54.13 mm) and the highest bulb weight (71.79 g) and marketable bulb yield (2.39 kg m ⁻² ) were determined after VermiFit A ^® application. EkoBooster 2 ^® showed the best effect on parameters such as the number of leaves, bulb weight, and marketable bulb yield of the cultivar ‘Stuttgarter Riesen’ and positively affected the parameters of ‘Rote Laaer’ during 2016, while in 2017 VermiFit A ^® showed better results as compared to the other treatments.

As climate change intensifies, organic agriculture faces new challenges in maintaining sustainability and environmental health. Precision agriculture offers climate-smart solutions by enabling resource efficient and data-driven farming. However, the adoption of precision agriculture technologies (PATs) is influenced by various socio-economic factors, behavioral factors, financial factors, institutional factors and technological factors. Adaptation factors for precision agriculture technologies and their application in response to climate change were identified through a systematic literature review (SLR) of 58 papers from journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. The investigation was performed for the Visegrad group countries: Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Some of these technologies include satellite imaging, remote sensing, soil moisture sensors, and precision irrigation systems, which enable more efficient use of water, fertilizers, and energy. Through a comparative analysis of the application of precision agriculture technologies in the V4 countries, this review underscores the importance of tailored PA approaches to address a specific climate challenge and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the V4 countries.

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions have a negative impact on the welfare of breeding animals, human health, and the environment. These influences of modern intensive agriculture have led to numerous protocols, national regulations, and European Directives. Following previous regulatory measures, the Commission Implementing Decision European Union (EU) 2017/302 on 15 February 2017 has established best available technique (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and the Council, for the intensive rearing of poultry and pigs. This applies to intensive poultry and pig producers with a capacity of over 40,000 poultry, 750 sows, or 2000 fattening pigs. Due to the application of this directive, air emissions have been reduced by between 40% and 75% over the last 15 years. The integrated permit monitors the entire environmental burden of the farm on its surroundings (air pollution, water, soil pollution, waste production, energy use). This review aims to provide a critical overview of how member states (including the United Kingdom) are approaching the implementation of IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) and the conclusions of BAT in their legislation and related documents, and how they monitor NH₃ emissions from intensive livestock farming. The data for this review were obtained from 2019 to 2020.