Lignocellulosic biomass is an exciting renewable resource for producing sustainable biofuels, thanks to its abundance and low environmental impact. However, its intricate structure makes it tough for enzymes to break it down effectively. Only efficient pretreatment methods can solve these problems. Among these, mechanical pretreatment methods are particularly good for industry because they are easy to use, do not require chemicals, and make it easier to achieve biomass. This systematic review adhered to the PRISMA protocols and used text analysis with VOSviewer to examine 33 academic articles published between 2005 and 2025. It highlighted two main types of mechanical pretreatment: size reduction (which includes grinding, crushing, and shredding) and densification (like pelletizing and briquetting). The results show that mechanical pretreatment can significantly boost biofuel yields by increasing surface area, lowering crystallinity, and allowing better enzyme penetration. Energy consumption remains a major hurdle for the overall sustainability of biomass conversion processes. This research provides a comprehensive review of current mechanical techniques, detailing their operational settings and performance metrics while also offering suggestions for optimizing biomass conversion processes. By promoting the use of mechanical pretreatment in biofuel production systems, the findings align with the principles of a circular economy and contribute to the development of greener energy sources.

Biochar has gained significant interest in the agroforestry sector, mainly because of its ability to improve soil quality and sequester carbon in the atmosphere. Among the feedstocks of possible use for biochar production is biomass, understood as products and residues of plant origin from agriculture and forestry. The quality of the biomass used for biochar production is important because the physicochemical characteristics of the final product depend on it. This review examines the use of biochar produced from forest wastes and its impact on agriculture, forest ecosystems and the environment in general. This work demonstrates that the use of biochar not only improves agricultural productivity and production, but also that the sustainable management of the environment and forests and contributes to forest fire risk mitigation. The authors, examining the physico-chemical properties of biochar produced by forest waste, noted that the most critical variable is the process (pyrolysis temperature, residence time and heating rate), but the type of biomass used as a raw material and the forest species used also have a significant impact in determining the characteristics of the final product.

Agrivoltaics, the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems with agricultural activities, is gaining attention as an innovative solution to improve land use efficiency and address climate challenges. This study investigates the potential and challenges of the Agri-PV in the Italian context using a bottom-up SWOT–AHP methodology, incorporating data from stakeholders across various sectors. Key findings highlight significant strengths, such as increased land use efficiency and technological innovation, as well as opportunities such as renewable energy production and local economic growth. However, barriers such as high installation costs, regulatory ambiguity, and potential impacts on biodiversity remain crucial issues. SWOT–AHP analysis reveals balanced global priorities, with leading opportunities (26.8%) and stakeholder-specific differences that offer valuable insights for inclusive strategies. The research also estimates the technical potential of Agri-PV in Italy, showing that using a fraction (1% or 5%) of “Unused Agricultural Land” could triple the energy targets outlined in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).

In recent years, several policies and strategies have been developed by the European Union to promote innovation and digitalization in the agricultural and forestry sector, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which allocates just under EUR 150 billion for the period of 2023–2027. In Italy, digitalization in the agricultural and forestry sector has grown significantly over the past decade, with 3.8% increasing to 15.8% of farms now being computerized. This growth has been fostered by the Italian strategy for digitalization in agriculture, part of the CAP Strategic Plan, implemented at the regional level through the Rural Development Complements (RDCs), adopted in 2023. This study analyzes the RDCs of Italian regions, comparing the strategies adopted in terms of digitalization and innovation from both technical and economic perspectives. This analysis focuses on the interventions of three regional support groups (SRGs)—SRG07, SRG08, SRG09—assessing whether they have been activated in all regions and delves into the political and technical reasons behind any lack of implementation. The study compares the funding allocated for each intervention, highlighting regional differences and underlying causes. The main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of digitalization in the agricultural and forestry sector were prioritized through an A’WOT analysis. The major strengths include the provision of job security and sustainability, while the major weaknesses comprise the challenges of the digital divide and a lack of technical training. The opportunities identified include the potential for the development of precision agriculture and eco-sustainable practices, but these are hampered by critical issues such as spatial fragmentation and limited economic resources. This analytical framework offers a comprehensive view of regional dynamics in Italy, providing useful insights for the development of more effective policies that can promote equitable and innovative digitalization in the agricultural and forestry sector.

Accidents and deaths at work are a persistent problem, with numbers still worrying. The agricultural and forestry sector is among the most exposed to work risks, with particular attention to noise risk from the use of agricultural machinery and operators. This study aims to analyze the exposure to noise risk during use of wheeled and tracked tractors, with or without a cab, as well as other operating machines. The analysis takes into account the parameters Lpeak (peak sound pressure values), LAeq.T (time-weighted equivalent noise exposure levels) and LAS (maximum and minimum values weighted according to the Slow time constant) in order to assess the noise impact and define strategies for improving the safety and health of workers. This study demonstrates that in multiple cases, the regulatory thresholds for the examined variables are exceeded, regardless of the presence of a cabin. Specifically, Lpeak values approach 140 dB, dangerous to human health, while LAeq.T levels are close to or, in some instances, exceed 87 dB. It is also verified that agricultural and forestry operators who mainly use crawler tractors have greater and constant exposure to noise compared to those who use tractors with a cabin.

After a period of significant development, poplar cultivation in Italy has been in rapid decline since the 1980s. Because of its marked ductility, poplar is valuable for both wood furniture and energy production. Production could be increased through mechanization, because innovative machinery and equipment can reduce the exposure of forest workers to common risk factors, ensure greater and better productivity, increase the efficiency of operations, and reduce costs. There are various systems for the mechanization of poplar production (from traditional to advanced and pushed mechanization). We describe the range of possibilities (in terms of both the techniques adopted and the machines used) for planting, harvesting, and chopping poplar. Based on our analysis of operating costs, we conclude that mechanized poplar production could reduce the average cost per ton of wood chips (EUR/t) by 23% and the average gross cost per hectare of wood chips produced (EUR/ha) by 37%.