Editorial policy

Evidence hierarchy

We give greatest weight to primary, authoritative sources and to well-established scientific consensus, and least weight to unsupported or commercial claims. In broad order of preference:

• Intergovernmental and government bodies (for example FAO, USDA, the European Commission) and official registries
• Peer-reviewed scientific literature and research institutes
• University extension services and recognised standards bodies
• Reputable reference works, used only for general or historical context

Source selection

Sources are recorded in a structured source registry and cited from the entries that rely on them. We prefer official, durable references and avoid anonymous blogs, affiliate content, content farms, and AI-generated or invented citations. Our sources & methodology page describes this in detail.

Update methodology

Each entry records when it was last updated and, where applicable, last reviewed. Entries are revised when sources change materially, when errors are found, or as our coverage of a topic deepens. Automated validation runs on every change to catch broken references, missing sources, and other structural problems before publication.

Geographic scope and local advice

Agriculture is intensely local. Every entry states its geographic scope, and we distinguish clearly between general educational information and region-specific advice. We do not present universal planting dates, fertilizer or pesticide rates, irrigation volumes, expected yields, or profitability figures without explicit geographic and evidentiary context.

Recommendations involving pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary treatment, regulated products, or local compliance must always be checked against local law, product labels, qualified professionals, and current regional guidance.

Treatment of uncertainty

Where evidence is incomplete, contested, or evolving, we say so rather than implying false certainty. Entries include an explicit “limitations” statement, and we avoid overstating the strength of a claim.

Derived values and calculations

When a value is derived or a calculation is offered, we aim to show the basis for it and its assumptions, and to mark it as derived rather than measured. We do not fabricate datasets, ratings, author credentials, or review claims. We do not claim that every article is reviewed by a named agronomist; entries are prepared against authoritative sources and our editorial standards.

Corrections

We welcome corrections and maintain a published corrections process. When we make a material factual correction, we update the entry and its “last updated” date.