ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND SMART AGRICULTURE: POLLUTION, AI EXTENSION AND PLANT HEALTH

Agriculture remains the backbone of many economies and communities across the globe, yet it faces mounting challenges from environmental degradation, technological gaps, and biological complexities. This book brings together three critical explorations that illuminate the evolving landscape of agricultural science and practice. The first chapter examines the profound impact of environmental pollution on agricultural productivity in Nigeria's Niger-Delta region, revealing how industrial activities and ecological disruption threaten food security and rural livelihoods. The second chapter shifts focus to innovation, showcasing how artificial intelligence can revolutionize smallholder farming in Sub-Saharan Africa by enhancing agricultural extension services and empowering farmers with data-driven decision-making. The final chapter delves into plant physiology, investigating the role of rootstocks in mediating heavy metal transfer and bioaccumulation in apple trees—an inquiry that bridges environmental science with horticultural resilience. Together, these chapters offer a compelling narrative of challenge and transformation, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable, intelligent, and adaptive agricultural systems in the face of global change.