Joint analytical hierarchy and metaheuristic optimization as a framework to mitigate fertilizer-based pollution

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Operations Research

Background:

• Nitrogenous pollution from agriculture (ammonia volatilization, N2O emissions, leaching) poses significant environmental challenges.
• Existing decision support systems for nitrogen application often overlook regional regulations and expert input.
• Optimizing nitrogen application is crucial for sustainable agriculture and mitigating environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a new framework for determining optimal nitrogen application rates.
• To integrate regional capacities, requirements, and expert knowledge into decision support systems.
• To create a system that maximizes agricultural profit while minimizing environmental pollution.

Main Methods:

• A three-year field experiment was conducted to monitor crop yield, nitrogen use efficiency, soil nitrate, and various nitrogen emissions (ammonia volatilization, N2O, leaching).
• A novel framework combining Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)/modified AHP (MAHP) with metaheuristic optimization techniques was developed.
• Expert surveys were used to gather regional insights and inform model development.

Main Results:

• The modified AHP (MAHP)-assisted model effectively incorporated expert concerns, leading to a significant reduction in pollution hotspots.
• Compared to the standard AHP, the MAHP model demonstrated better alignment with expert recommendations and environmental goals.
• The developed decision support system demonstrated the potential to achieve high profits for farmers and low environmental pollution.

Conclusions:

• The MAHP-assisted decision support system offers a viable solution for optimizing nitrogen application rates in agriculture.
• This approach successfully balances economic benefits for farmers with environmental sustainability.
• The framework provides a pathway towards resource conservation and a more sustainable agricultural production system.