Field Crops Research最新文献

{"title":"Optimizing cropping systems and irrigation regimes to mitigate NH3 emissions and enhance crop productivity in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain","authors":"Yanli Wang ,&nbsp;Pengnian Wu ,&nbsp;Haolin Yu ,&nbsp;Jing Shao ,&nbsp;Lingyun Li ,&nbsp;Zhiheng Zhao ,&nbsp;Peimeng Gao ,&nbsp;Shilong Liu ,&nbsp;Jinghui Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaokang Guan ,&nbsp;Pengfei Wen ,&nbsp;Tongchao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Ammonia (NH₃) emissions from agricultural ecosystems in China present a significant environmental challenge, reducing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use and negatively impacting crop yields. Addressing NH₃ emissions is critical for improving both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the effects of two cropping systems: winter wheat-maize (W-M) and winter wheat-soybean (W-S) on NH₃ emissions under varying irrigation regimes, with a focus on identifying optimal practices to reduce emissions and enhance nitrogen and crop water productivity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain to compare the traditional W-M cropping system with an alternative W-S system. The experiment involved three irrigation treatments (W0, W4, and W6) applied during the jointing and filling stages of winter wheat. The WHCNS model was utilized to simulate daily NH₃ emission dynamics.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>The results indicated that irrigation significantly reduced annual NH₃ emissions in both cropping systems, particularly within the first 20 days post-fertilization. In the W-S system, the W6 and W4 irrigation treatments reduced NH₃ emissions by 6.5 %-23.1 % and 6.1 %-16.4 %, respectively, compared to the W-M system. Moreover, the nitrogen yield-scaled emission intensity under W6 in the W-S system increased by 9.8 % compared to W4. All irrigation treatments in the W-S system enhanced grain nitrogen yield, with the W4 treatment achieving the highest yield of 492.3 kg ha⁻¹ and the highest water productivity (WP) of 2.7 kg m⁻³. Implementing the W4 irrigation regime in the W-S cropping system significantly improves grain nitrogen production and water use efficiency while reducing NH₃ emissions compared to the W-M system.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>These findings underscore the potential of optimizing cropping systems and irrigation practices to reduce NH₃ emissions. The results contribute to sustainable agricultural practices, improved nitrogen management, and enhanced environmental stewardship, with implications for similar agricultural regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109763"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143055235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitigating phosphorus–zinc antagonism in calcareous soils through the interaction of high–zinc wheat and the rhizospheric microbiome","authors":"Jun Yang ,&nbsp;Runze Wang ,&nbsp;Junfeng Xu ,&nbsp;Zikang Guo ,&nbsp;Chenrui Liu ,&nbsp;Yinglong Chen ,&nbsp;Mei Shi ,&nbsp;Zhaohui Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Context</em>: Selecting high–yielding wheat cultivars with increased zinc (Zn) concentration is a sustainable approach to mitigating the reduction in grain Zn nutrients caused by phosphorus (P) application in high–pH soils. <em>Objective</em>: It is important to understand how high–Zn (H_Zn) wheat enhances Zn uptake under P applications by optimizing the rhizosphere, particularly through the recruitment of beneficial bacteria, root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and modification of root morphology. This knowledge is essential for the biofortification of wheat with Zn. <em>Methods</em>: We analyzed Zn rhizo–mobilization, root morphology, Zn uptake, and the microbial composition in the rhizosphere and roots of four high–yielding wheat cultivars with contrasting grain Zn levels. The study was conducted under two P fertilizer rates, 0 and 44 kg P/ha, on the southern Loess Plateau, China. <em>Results</em>: Bacteria potentially alleviating P–Zn antagonisms, such as <em>Rhizobium</em> sp., <em>Sphingomonas</em> sp., and <em>Pseudomonas</em> spp., were specially enriched in H_Zn cultivars with P application and demonstrated the ability to promote Zn rhizo–mobilization by decreasing soil pH, resulting in a 69.1 % increase in available Zn concentration. P application reduced root colonization by AM fungi <em>Diversispora densissima</em> in Low–Zn (L_Zn) cultivars but not in H_Zn cultivars, allowing H_Zn cultivars to maintain higher root Zn acquisition efficiency. The P–induced increases in total root length and surface area per plant in H_Zn cultivars were 40 % and 7 % higher, respectively, compared to L_Zn cultivars, while the increase in average root diameter of H_Zn cultivars was 62 % lower than that of L_Zn cultivars. This suggests that the longer, thinner roots with larger surface areas were advantageous for H_Zn cultivars in capturing more Zn from the soil. <em>Conclusion</em>: Therefore, recruiting more beneficial rhizobacteria, maintaining stable root colonization by AM fungi, and optimizing root growth are crucial strategies for H_Zn cultivars to enhance shoot Zn uptake and mitigate P–Zn antagonism. <em>Implications or significance</em>: Combining high–Zn wheat with specific bacteria and fungi at the soil–root interface, along with appropriate P application, holds significant potential for achieving wheat biofortification with Zn.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109762"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143093234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eco-phenological drivers of black gram (Vigna mungo (L) Hepper) productivity in diverse environments and their implications for crop improvement","authors":"Ashok K. Parihar ,&nbsp;Kali Krishna Hazra ,&nbsp;Amrit Lamichaney ,&nbsp;Debjyoti Sen Gupta ,&nbsp;Anil K. Singh ,&nbsp;Jai Dev ,&nbsp;Samuel Jaberson ,&nbsp;Ajaj A. Lone ,&nbsp;S.P. Das ,&nbsp;Shayla Bindra ,&nbsp;R.K. Panwar ,&nbsp;Ashok Kumar ,&nbsp;Arpita Das ,&nbsp;H.K. Borah ,&nbsp;C.S. Mahto ,&nbsp;Shiva Nath ,&nbsp;S.B. Mishra ,&nbsp;Geeta Rai ,&nbsp;E.R. Vaidya ,&nbsp;Mangala Parikh ,&nbsp;G.P. Dixit","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Insights into crop eco-phenology and genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) are essential for advancing crop improvement strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to (i) elucidate the impact of diverse climatic conditions on the eco-phenology and productivity of black gram and their associations and (ii) evaluate GEI to identify mega-environments for targeted breeding.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-nine black gram genotypes were evaluated across twenty-seven locations spanning five agro-climatic zones of India to delineate crop-environment associations and assess the contribution of GEI factors. Empirical methods were employed to identify mega-environments and ranking genotypes’ stability.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Substantial variability in crop traits across locations, measured as coefficients of variation, were observed for days-to-flowering (14 %), days-to-maturity (10 %), reproductive period (RP) (20 %), grain yield (30 %), and 100-seed weight (13 %). Environmental factors accounted for the largest proportion of yield variability (61 %), followed by GEI (31 %). Minimum temperature during flowering and RP significantly influenced grain yield, with high cumulative heat units and low humidity during RP favoring higher productivity. Grain yield demonstrated a positive association with extended RP. The study identified six mega-environments as well as ‘ideal’ testing locations with high desirability indices to enhanced selection efficiency. Among the tested genotypes, IU 92–14 emerged as the most stable across diverse Indian climates.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion and significance</h3><div>The findings underscore the substantial influence of climatic factors on the phenological developments and productivity of black gram. Strategic breeding program tailored to the identified mega-environments will be pivotal in leveraging positive GEI effects to improve yields in India, with the potential for extrapolation to international contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109756"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficient root nitrogen transport is a key factor in improving nitrogen utilization and yield of semi-dwarf rapeseed","authors":"Bowen Zhao ,&nbsp;Hongxiang Lou ,&nbsp;Yueyao Wang ,&nbsp;Bo Wang ,&nbsp;Jing Wang ,&nbsp;Zhenghua Xu ,&nbsp;Jie Zhao ,&nbsp;Guangsheng Zhou ,&nbsp;Jie Kuai","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109758","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Rational allocation of nitrogen (N) application rates and planting densities is crucial for improving rapeseed yield. However, an increased N application rate reduces N use efficiency (NUE), and a higher planting density elevates the risk of lodging, thus limiting production benefits. Dwarf and compact rapeseed varieties exhibit high lodging resistance but possess low yield potential, while cultivars with conventional plant architecture possess high yield potential but are susceptible to collapse under dense planting. Limited research exists on utilizing the advantages of materials with different plant architectures to enhance N utilization and yield in rapeseed.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The experiment was conducted using the dwarf mutant HS5sca, the tall wild-type HS5, and their F1 semi-dwarf and compact hybrid HS5&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;+/sca&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt; all sharing the same genetic background from 2019 to 2022. The field experiment used a split-split-plot design with three different planting densities (D1, D2, and D3: 15 × 10⁴, 45 × 10⁴, and 75 × 10⁴ plants ha⁻¹) and three different N application rates (N1, N2, and N3: 120, 240, and 360 kg ha⁻¹) to find out how N application rate and planting density affected NUE and yield in different genotypes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;With increasing N rate and planting density, the expression levels of nitrate transporter-encoding genes, &lt;em&gt;BnaC08.NPF6.3&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;BnaA07.NPF4.6&lt;/em&gt;, in roots increased first and then decreased in HS5&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;sca&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt; and HS5&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;+/sca&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt;, reaching the peak at N2 and D2, respectively, while in HS5 they increased with increasing N rate and increased first and then decreased with increasing planting density. Meanwhile, the activities of nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase in roots of the three genotypes at the flowering stage increased with increasing N rate, while these enzyme activities increased first and then decreased with increasing planting density. These enzyme activities increased N and dry matter accumulation in both roots and shoots, as well as a higher N contribution rate (NCR). Despite declines in agronomic NUE (aNUE) and the partial factor productivity of N (PFPN) with increasing N rate, the relative growth rates of root and shoot increased, positively affecting yields under most of the treatments. Conversely, NCR and aNUE decreased, while root and shoot N, dry matter accumulation, PFPN and, yield initially increased and then decreased with increasing planting density. Compared with N1, the average yield over three years for HS5&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;sca&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt;, HS5&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;+/sca&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt;, and HS5 increased by 24.5 %, 22.1 %, and 14.6 % at N2, and 8.1 %, 10.2 %, and 4.6 % under D2 compared to D1, respectively. Among the three genotypes, HS5&lt;sub&gt;&lt;em&gt;+/sca&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/sub&gt; exhibited higher expression of nitrate transporter genes, greater N metabolism-related enzyme activities,","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109758"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of planting density and NPK-fertilization level on lodging resistance and grain yield of common buckwheat","authors":"Xinhui Lei ,&nbsp;Yixin Wu ,&nbsp;Jiale Wang ,&nbsp;Jincai Tao ,&nbsp;Chenxi Wan ,&nbsp;Meng Wang ,&nbsp;Baili Feng ,&nbsp;Xiaochun Wang ,&nbsp;Jinfeng Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109738","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109738","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context or problem&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Increasing planting density and fertilization rates have been widely used to enhance common buckwheat yield. However, it also led to higher lodging rates and severity.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective or research question&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of the interaction between planting density and fertilization level on lodging characteristics and yield of common buckwheat.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Common buckwheat variety XN D4103 was used as the experimental material, and split-plot design was adopted to study lodging related traits and yield under two planting densities (D1: 9.0 ×10&lt;sup&gt;5&lt;/sup&gt;, D2: 1.35 ×10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt; plants·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; respectively) and three fertilization levels (F1: 120 (N), 76.8 (P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;) and 56.4 (K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O) kg·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;; F2:180 (N), 115.2 (P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;) and 84.6 (K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O) kg·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;; F3: 240(N), 153.6 (P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;) and 112.8 (K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O) kg·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;, respectively).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Results showed: (1) Increasing the planting density resulted in a decrease in total root length, total root surface area, average root diameter, and root tip number. However, the medium level of fertilizer application effectively enhanced the root morphological indexes at different growth stages. (2) Increased planting density resulted in a decrease in diameter, plumpness, and snapping resistance of the basal 2nd internode. However, the anatomical structure and chemical composition were improved at the medium fertilization level, leading to a significant increase in snapping resistance. (3) With higher planting density and fertilizer application, the plant height, center of gravity height, length of basal 2nd internode, culm fresh weight, and lodging index increased, thereby increasing the risk of lodging. (4) lodging rate was significantly and positively correlated with the length of basal 2nd internode, plant height, height of the center of gravity and lodging index (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.01), while significantly and negatively correlated with the morphological indexes of root, and the snapping resistance, anatomical structure, lignin-related enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD)) activities, lignin content, cellulose content of culm (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.01).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The recommended planting density is 1.35 × 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt; plants·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;, with a medium fertilizer application rate (N:180 kg·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;, P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;:115.2 kg·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;, K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O: 84.6 kg·hm&lt;sup&gt;&lt;img&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;). Under these conditions, the lodging rate and classification are relatively low, while the yield reaches the maximum.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Implications or significance&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study provided a theoretical basis for e","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109738"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitigation of soil acidification is critical for reducing GHG emission and improving soil quality, crop yield and farm economic benefits: Evidence from a global meta-analysis","authors":"Zhen Xu ,&nbsp;Siwen Zhang ,&nbsp;Prakash Lakshmanan ,&nbsp;Yalin Li ,&nbsp;Donghao Xu ,&nbsp;Qichao Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil acidification is a major threat to crop productivity and ecosystem health, which can be effectively mitigated by soil amendments. However, a comprehensive assessment of the impact of soil acidification mitigation on crop yield, soil properties, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remains lacking. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted by using field data obtained from 279 publications. The results showed that acidic soil amendment significantly increased soil pH by 6.27 %, base saturation by 86.1 %, cation exchange capacity by 19.5 %, and decreased soil exchangeable acidity and aluminum by 54.2 % and 64.4 %. In addition, the management also increased the organic matter content by 17.7 %, exchangeable calcium and magnesium by 102 % and 81.5 %. Meanwhile, the soil bacteria, fungi number increased by 36.2 %, 15.9 %, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen increased by 38.3 % and 45.3 % on average. Reduction in soil acidification increased CO₂ emission by 27.1 %, but decreased N₂O emission and CH₄ emission by 20.6 % and 12.3 %, respectively. The initial soil properties, climate, and the type of soil inputs were the major regulators of acidification control, and their effects were more pronounced in strongly acidic, coarse, low OM soils and in humid climate. Increasing soil pH improved yield varying from 8.95 % in rice to 82.6 % in rapeseed and decreased GHG emissions, returned a revenue gain of 798 USD ha⁻¹ through crop yield increase, carbon fixation and GHG emissions reduction. In conclusion, soil acidification mitigation significantly boosts food security and abates climate change challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109757"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable nitrogen management in maize using optical sensor: Assessing yield, economics, and environmental impact","authors":"Pravin Kumar Upadhyay ,&nbsp;Vinod Kumar Singh ,&nbsp;Kapila Shekhawat ,&nbsp;Brahma Swaroop Dwivedi ,&nbsp;Rajendra Prasad Mishra ,&nbsp;Rajiv Kumar Singh ,&nbsp;Sanjay Singh Rathore ,&nbsp;Susheel Kumar Singh ,&nbsp;Meenu Rani ,&nbsp;Sayantika Sarkar ,&nbsp;Abir Dey ,&nbsp;Subhash Babu ,&nbsp;Rabi N. Sahoo ,&nbsp;G.A. Rajanna ,&nbsp;Vishal Tyagi ,&nbsp;Sunil Kumar ,&nbsp;Meenakshi ,&nbsp;Anjali Patel ,&nbsp;Gaurav Shukla","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109753","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109753","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conventional nitrogen (N) application across large irrigated maize field often leads to low N use efficiency (NUE) due to substantial spatial and temporal variations in N needs throughout the growing season. This study aimed to optimize N management and enhance NUE in maize using the GreenSeeker™ (GS™) optical sensor, calibrated in conjunction with Nutrient Expert® (NE®). Field experiments conducted from 2012 to 2014 established a strong relationship between In-Season Estimated Yield (INSEY) at key growth stages (V₂–V₁₉) and maize yield, with R² values from 0.70 to 0.79. Based on INSEY–yield relationships at V₇ and V₁₁, N management prescriptions were implemented between 2015 and 2019 in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The most effective strategy, NE® + 2-GS™, involved a basal N application per NE® guidelines and two split applications guided by GS™ at V₇ and V₁₁. This approach improved grain yield by 22.4 %, enhanced agronomic efficiency (31.6 kg yield kg⁻¹ N applied), and increased NUE compared to state recommendations (SR). Additionally, NE® + 2-GS™ improved N energy use efficiency by 37.4 %, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 21.0 %, and achieved a higher eco-efficiency index (0.19 US $ MJ⁻¹ and 1.03 US $ kg⁻¹) than SR. The carbon footprint on a yield scale (CFy) was reduced by 48.2 %, indicating a substantial decrease in CO₂ emissions per economic yield unit. These findings support NE® + 2-GS™ as a feasible and environmentally sustainable strategy for efficient N management in maize.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109753"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cover crops enhance soil health, crop yield and resilience of tropical agroecosystem","authors":"Victória Santos Souza ,&nbsp;Lucas Pecci Canisares ,&nbsp;Bruna Emanuele Schiebelbein ,&nbsp;Darliane de Castro Santos ,&nbsp;Rafael Braghieri Menillo ,&nbsp;C. Roberto Pinheiro Junior ,&nbsp;Maurício Roberto Cherubin","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cover crops have emerged as an effective strategy for diversifying agricultural practices, contributing to mitigate climate chance by carbon sequestration, increasing crop yield and even, increasing the crop resilience to adverse wheatear conditions. However, soil health changes and its impacts on crop yield and resilient are poorly documented in tropical conditions. Thus, we aimed to i) evaluate the impact of biodiversification of soybean cropping system, using cover crops, on soil health and crop yield, and ii) evaluate the relationship of soil health with crop yield and resilience over time. A 5-year field study was carried out on a research farm within the Brazilian savannah biome, in a highly-weathered soil <em>Latossolo Vermelho</em> soil (Brazilian Soil Classification System), which corresponds to a Rhodic Hapludox in the Soil Taxonomy, to evaluate the effects of four alternative cropping systems where soybean was followed by cover crops and cash crop (maize). Eight soil health indicators (soil organic carbon (SOC), β-glucosidase activity, aggregate stability, bulk density, water-filled pore space, pH, P, and K contents) were measured, and a composite soil health index (SHI) was calculated for the 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm layers. Additionally, soybean yield was measured to evaluate the relationship between soil health and crop yield. The results showed that the cover crop mix and ruzigrass after soybean enhanced soil biological health and overall SHI compared with maize and maize intercropped with ruzigrass at the 0–10 and 0–30 cm layers. Healthier soils were correlated with higher yields and resilience (lower coefficient of variation). SOC explained 20 % of yield changes, while β-glucosidase explained 35 % of yield resilience to climate-related stresses. We concluded that the biodiversification using cover crops (grasses or mix including grasses and legumes) improves soil health, soybean yield, and resilience to climate-related stresses. These findings provide a pathway to more sustainable, productive and climate-smart agricultural systems in tropical regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109755"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143128336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards higher agrobiodiversity – Evaluating the effects of undersowing different flowering species on soybean productivity","authors":"Cleo A. Döttinger ,&nbsp;Kim A. Steige ,&nbsp;Volker Hahn ,&nbsp;Willmar L. Leiser ,&nbsp;Kristina Bachteler ,&nbsp;Tobias Würschum","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The loss of insect biodiversity threatens our food security and ecosystem services. This decline is partially linked to intensive agriculture, including monocultures. Alternative cultivation systems with companion plants can create habitats for beneficial insects but may negatively impact crop productivity due to competition.</div></div><div><h3>Objective and methods</h3><div>To increase agrobiodiversity, we evaluated a cropping system incorporating companion flowering species in soybean cultivation. A total of 16 different flowering species were sown between the soybean rows and evaluated for their impact on the productivity of three soybean genotypes in a two-year trial in southern Germany. The effects of each species on the soybean traits grain yield, protein content, and time to maturity were compared. In addition, their influence on the soil microbiome was assessed to evaluate a further aspect of biodiversity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the first year with higher water availability, grain yield was affected negatively by the vigorous species <em>Sinapis arvensis</em>, <em>Sinapis alba</em> and <em>Trifolium resupinatum</em>. In the second year with drought stress, most companion species led to significant yield losses. In addition, maturity was substantially delayed by well growing undersown species. However, protein content, representing grain quality, was not negatively affected in any environment. Furthermore, no significant effect on the soil microbiome could be detected.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, a cropping system integrating undersowing of companion species between rows in soybean cultivation is for most species only feasible with sufficient water availability. However, some species, like <em>Linum usitatissimum,</em> seem to be compatible with soybean in such a cropping system even in years with less favourable weather conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109761"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143019991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reducing cadmium uptake without compromising nitrogen uptake, photosynthesis, or yield in low-Cd hybrid rice","authors":"Meina Ji ,&nbsp;Wen Ning ,&nbsp;Lin Su ,&nbsp;Zhi Wei ,&nbsp;Dandan Shi ,&nbsp;Yulin Liao ,&nbsp;Xiang Ouyang ,&nbsp;Baohua Fang ,&nbsp;Bigang Mao ,&nbsp;Shuoqi Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The presence of cadmium (Cd) in rice fields poses a significant threat to both rice production and human health. The low-Cd hybrid rice variety Zhenliangyou 8612 (L-Cd ZLY8612), developed through the mutation of the <em>OsNRAMP5</em> gene, exhibits significantly lower Cd uptake. However, the impacts of this mutation on nitrogen (N) uptake, photosynthetic efficiency, and grain yield remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A two-year field experiment, along with a pot experiment, was conducted using Cd-contaminated soils and four different nitrogen treatments. Key parameters, including Cd uptake, photosynthesis, biomass, and yield, were measured, alongside ¹⁵N isotope tracking to assess N uptake and utilization efficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The average Cd concentration in L-Cd ZLY8612 grain was 73.4 % lower than that in ZLY8612 across two years of field experiments. Despite the <em>OsNRAMP5</em> mutation, N uptake and utilization in L-Cd ZLY8612 were comparable to ZLY8612, with no significant differences in photosynthetic traits, dry matter accumulation, or grain yield. These findings suggest that L-Cd ZLY8612 can effectively reduce Cd accumulation without compromising N uptake or yield.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>L-Cd ZLY8612 effectively reduces Cd uptake without compromising N uptake or yield performance. The cultivation of low-Cd rice varieties such as L-Cd ZLY8612 presents a viable strategy for mitigating soil Cd contamination, while ensuring stable rice production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 109759"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143020056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}