Field Crops Research最新文献

{"title":"Genetic progress achieved over ninety-three years of sunflower breeding in Argentina, 1931–2024","authors":"Abelardo J. de la Vega ,&nbsp;Sebastián Zuil ,&nbsp;Arnaldo N. Vázquez ,&nbsp;Amelia Bertero de Romano","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109968","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109968","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Genetic gain studies addressing parts of the history of sunflower breeding in Argentina (1931–2024) have been published, but many gaps remain.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To fill all gaps in the quantification of sunflower genetic progress in Argentina.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A multi-environment dataset of 1074 field trials (1935–2023) was analyzed using linear models, regression, and self-organizing maps (SOM) in the context provided by historical production periods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Open pollinated variety (OPV) breeding (1938–1990) did not produce significant yield progress but shortened maturity, increased oil concentration, improved agronomics and contributed to building a locally adapted genetic pool. Hybrids that replaced OPVs (1970–1990) showed earlier maturity and higher values for oil yield and its immediate determinants. Genetic gains estimated for the period 1953–2022 were −0.15 % yr⁻¹, 0.72 % yr⁻¹, 0.46 % yr⁻¹ and 1.49 % yr⁻¹ for time to flowering, grain yield, oil concentration and oil yield, respectively. A slowdown in genetic progress was observed starting in the mid-1990s, associated with crop displacement, pathogen and pest evolution, and linkage drag shown by early herbicide-resistant hybrids.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Sunflower breeding programs of Argentina consistently released superior genotypes at rates of genetic gain that are comparable to larger, better resourced crop growing systems.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>A dataset spanning all breeding periods, growing areas and relevant cultivars allowed us to fill all gaps in describing breeding contributions to sunflower yield progress in Argentina. We also proposed the use of SOMs to estimate the impact of individual cultivars on the genetic gain achieved by a crop growing system in different historical periods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 109968"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143928027","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":"Stage-dependent synergistic impacts of AM fungi and rhizobacteria on phytohormone mediation and field productivity in dryland maize","authors":"Muhammad Abrar ,&nbsp;Ying Zhu ,&nbsp;Wen-Shan Li ,&nbsp;Muhammad Aqeel ,&nbsp;Umair Ashraf ,&nbsp;Muhammad Maqsood Ur Rehman ,&nbsp;Jian-Ming Li ,&nbsp;Xiao-Fang Gong ,&nbsp;Wasim Khan ,&nbsp;Wei Wang ,&nbsp;You-Cai Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109967","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Climate change and increasing drought conditions severely impact maize productivity in semi-arid regions. In this context, the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers a promising solution to enhance crop resilience. Despite of their potential, the synergistic effects of AM fungi and PGPR on plant growth, particularly regarding phytohormone signaling, photosynthetic efficiency, and nutrient allocation during critical growth stages of dryland maize, remain poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To investigate the sole and synergistic effects of AM fungi and PGPR on the periodic regulation of phytohormones to enhance the productivity of dryland maize.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of AM fungi (<em>Rhizophagus irregularis</em> SUN16 and <em>Glomus monosporum</em> WUM11), and PGPR (<em>Azotobacter chroococcum</em> GSICC 30112 and <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em> GSICC 32826) under plastic film mulching (PFM) at critical growth stages (jointing, silking, and pre-harvest) of dryland maize.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We found that sole inoculation with AM fungi, sole PGPR, and their co-inoculation significantly (p &lt; 0.5) influenced plant signaling hormones, with co-inoculation exhibiting the most pronounced effects under PFM. Notably, co-inoculation also enhanced photosynthetic pigments (up to 85.19 %), photosynthesis (up to 64.73 %), along with improved nutrient translocation. Increases were observed in nitrogen (38.44–107.79 %), phosphorus (32.42–79.62 %), and potassium (43.71–155.97 %) concentrations in both shoots and roots. These improvements were most evident at silking and pre-harvest stages, where improved nutrient partitioning contributed to more efficient biomass accumulation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Co-inoculation with AM fungi and PGPR synergistically boosted plant signaling hormones, activated photosynthetic processes, and improved nutrient distribution, leading to enhanced maize growth under PFM in semi-arid regions.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Our findings highlight the potential of early management of co-inoculation integrated with PFM and could provide new insights for improving maize productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 109967"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143923108","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":"Tiller growth and mortality in winter wheat as affected by carbon and nitrogen partitioning via stem internode structure","authors":"Xiaojie Feng ,&nbsp;Lu Yang ,&nbsp;Suoqian Kang ,&nbsp;Yangbo Huai ,&nbsp;Yuanwei Gan ,&nbsp;Shuhui Song ,&nbsp;Yonghua Li ,&nbsp;Peng Ning","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Tiller growth and development are crucial determinants of grain yields in wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.). However, the impacts of tiller internode structures associated with carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) partitioning underlying tiller development and the ultimate yield have not yet been fully elucidated.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the tiller internode structure in association with C and N partitioning between stems and their impacts on tiller growth and mortality and the ultimate yield.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two wheat cultivars with moderate-tillering (ZM578) and high-tillering (LY502) were grown under field conditions with zero N (N0) and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ (N200). Wheat tillering, C and N partitioning, and the anatomical structures of tiller internodes were investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to the N200 supply, N0 suppressed tillering by 46.8 % in ZM578 at the jointing stage and by 34.7 % in LY502, indicating a more pronounced tillering response to N availability in the moderate-tillering cultivar. However, at maturity, ZM578 achieved comparable spike numbers and grain yields relative to LY502. This can be attributed to the 11.8–22.5 % lower tiller mortality rate in ZM578, which strongly depended upon the maximum tiller numbers rather than N availability. Although comparable or even lower leaf area and SPAD readings were observed, ZM578 exhibited higher photosynthetic rates compared to LY502. Moreover, ZM578 allocated a greater proportion of assimilates to the main stem and superior tillers, resulting in larger assimilate accumulation gaps between the main stem and tillers. In parallel with these findings, ZM578 displayed larger vascular bundle and phloem sizes, particularly under N-deficient conditions, primarily due to larger size of individual vascular bundle and phloem. Likewise, assimilate partitioning to late-generated tillers in ZM578 was lower than that in LY502, indicating a reduction in unnecessary assimilate consumption.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Tiller internode structure plays a significant role in C and N partitioning, which in turn influences tiller development and the ultimate yield.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>The results are informative for creating high-yielding wheat populations through the selection of moderate-tillering cultivars and optimized N management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 109970"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918158","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":"Enhancing nutritional value of common wheat: Impact of foliar selenium application on grain yield and quality under rainfed conditions","authors":"Yidenekachew Berhanu Beshah ,&nbsp;Antonio Pescatore ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Guerrini ,&nbsp;Roberto Vivoli ,&nbsp;Marco Napoli","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109969","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109969","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient for human health, but its deficiency is widespread due to low concentrations in staple crops like common wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.). Enhancing the Se content of wheat grains through foliar application can help address dietary deficiencies while maintaining crop yield and quality.</div></div><div><h3>Objective or research question</h3><div>This study aimed to investigate the effects of foliar Se application on grain yield and quality in two common wheat varieties (Bologna and Sieve) grown under rainfed conditions. Specifically, the research examined how Se rates and application timings influenced key quality traits such as protein content, starch concentration, free asparagine levels, and phytic acid content.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A split-split-plot design was employed over two growing seasons (2020–2022) at two experimental sites in Italy. Selenium was foliar-applied at five rates (0, 2.57, 5.14, 10.27, 20.54 g ha⁻¹) and at two growth stages (flowering and watery ripe). Agronomic traits including grain yield, protein content, starch concentration, free asparagine, and phytic acid (Phy) were measured. Statistical analysis was conducted using a mixed-effects linear model to assess the interactions between varieties, Se rates, and application timings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Selenium application did not affect grain yield in either variety, but it had notable effects on quality traits in a variety-dependent manner. Free asparagine and phytic acid content decreased with Se application, with the reduction in free asparagine being more pronounced in Sieve. Additionally, Phy-to-cation molar ratios declined in both varieties, suggesting improved mineral bioavailability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While foliar-Se application did not affect grain yield, it improved several quality traits by reducing free asparagine and phytic acid content, which are important for both food safety and nutritional value. However, the results also suggest that high Se rates may negatively impact protein and starch content.</div></div><div><h3>Implications or significance</h3><div>This study demonstrates the potential of foliar-Se application to reduce anti-nutritional factors such as Phy and free asparagine, while lowering the molar Phy:Se ratio, thereby improving Se bioavailability. However, foliar-Se application decreased protein content and had no effect on grain yield. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring foliar-Se application strategies to specific wheat varieties to balance its effects and optimize its role in addressing Se deficiencies in human diets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 109969"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143923107","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":"Within-field variation of actual and maximum winter wheat yield in relation to crop management","authors":"L. Engström ,&nbsp;Å. Myrbeck ,&nbsp;A. Larsolle ,&nbsp;E. Coucheney ,&nbsp;K. Blombäck ,&nbsp;E. Lewan ,&nbsp;K. Persson ,&nbsp;B. Stenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109965","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109965","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The potential magnitude of agronomic yield gain through management is rarely explored at the field scale. Increasing yield through greater use of inputs without considering local potential yield may pose environmental and economic risks.</div></div><div><h3>Study objectives</h3><div>i) examine yield gain through increased management intensity, including irrigation, and how it varies within and between fields, ii) evaluate the environmental and economic risks of uniform N-rates within fields.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field experiments were performed at three sites, with varying yield potential, in each of 12 fields with winter wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.) in Sweden over three years. Irrigated and rainfed maximum yield under non-limiting cropping inputs (Yim and Ym), actual yield under conventional management (Ya), and yield gains (Yim-Ym and Ym-Ya) were determined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>More frequent pest control was most effective to increase yields, followed by higher fertilizer rates. However, within-field yield variation, relative to the lowest yield recorded in the field, was, on average, similar for Ya and Ym but reduced by irrigation (Yim). Thus, water limitation was the main reason for within-field yield variations, possibly related to soil texture.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Actual and maximum yields vary between and within fields. This variation cannot be entirely compensated for by intensified management. Therefore uniform yield levels within fields should not be strived for, instead site-specific optimal levels should be the goal.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>The within-field variation in yield needs to be considered as N rates based on site-specific yield levels within fields were found to be more profitable than uniform N rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"329 ","pages":"Article 109965"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143907633","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":"Impact of coated fertilizers and organic manure on soil health and productivity indicators in rice-based cropping systems of the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India","authors":"Susmita Das ,&nbsp;Amit Kumar ,&nbsp;Nimay Chandra Giri ,&nbsp;Sukanta Pal ,&nbsp;Hirak Banerjee ,&nbsp;Dinkar J. Gaikwad ,&nbsp;Buddhadev Sarkar ,&nbsp;Vijay Singh Meena","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109966","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109966","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Sustainable soil management is crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and intensive farming in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGPs). Rice-based cropping systems dominate the region, but their long-term viability depends on optimizing nutrient management scenario to enhance productivity, economic efficiency, and soil health.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study evaluates the impact of coated fertilizers and organic manure (OM) on system productivity, economic returns, and soil health in three rice-based cropping systems (Cs)—rice-potato (R-P), rice-wheat (R-W), and rice-rice (R-R). The goal is to identify the most effective nutrient management strategy for sustainable intensification.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><strong>A</strong> field experiment (2019–21) was conducted at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, West Bengal. The study assessed different nutrient management scenario, particularly the application of 75 % NPK (PSCU) + 25 % N from farmyard manure (FYM) during kharif and vermicompost (VC) during rabi (Sc5), in the three cropping systems.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The R-P (Cs3) system with Sc5 significantly increased system productivity (+77 %), production efficiency (+72 %), economic efficiency (+64 %), and water-use efficiency (+113 %) compared to other cropping systems and nutrient management scenario. The R-W system showed the highest land-use efficiency (67.1 %), followed by R-R (63.0 %) and R-P (58.9 %). The R-P system improved soil health, increasing total water-stable aggregates (+10.6 %), mean weight diameter (+26.8 %), hydraulic conductivity (+10.4 %), organic carbon (+11.3 %), and available macronutrients (+13.2 %). Microbial biomass carbon (+15 %), phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (+26 %), and enzymatic activity (+20.6 %) also improved. Active carbon pool (+6.54 %), passive carbon pool (+3.57 %), carbon pool index (+3.84 %), and carbon management index (+6.17 %) recorded significant gains. Sc5 achieved the highest system productivity (18,526 kg ha⁻¹), production efficiency (86.2 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹), nitrogen agronomic efficiency (41.55 kg grain kg⁻¹ N applied), economic efficiency (₹912.4 ha⁻¹ day⁻¹), and sustainable yield index (0.689).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The R-P system with Sc5 (75 % RDN through PSCU + 25 % RDN through VC) is the most effective strategy for improving productivity, profitability, and soil health in the EIGPs. The integration of coated fertilizers with organic amendments enhances soil resilience and long-term sustainability.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Scaling up R-P with Sc5 (75 % RDN through PSCU + 25 % RDN through VC) can significantly benefit farmers by improving yields, economic returns, and soil health, supporting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture in the EIGP region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"329 ","pages":"Article 109966"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143906010","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":"A meta-analysis of crop leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content estimation based on hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing techniques","authors":"Gege Zhu ,&nbsp;Qinghua Wang ,&nbsp;Shenming Zhang ,&nbsp;Tengyu Guo ,&nbsp;Shishi Liu ,&nbsp;Jianwei Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109961","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109961","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Real-time monitoring of essential nutrient status is crucial for improving fertilizer efficiency and enhancing crop productivity. Hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing provide effective, non-invasive tools for estimating crop leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content (LNC, LPC, and LKC). Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of these technologies is needed.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a meta-analysis of studies from 2000 to 2023 to identify spectral bands for estimating LNC, LPC, and LKC. Subsequently, nutrient estimation models using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were developed based on 4 years of oilseed rape field data, to verify identified the sensitive bands.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The meta-analysis revealed an increasing research focus on nutrient estimation from 2017 to 2023, with wheat and rice as the primary crops investigated. Among the three nutrients, LNC was the most frequently analyzed. Commonly adopted modeling approaches included PLSR, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), SVR, and RF. At the canopy level, LNC exhibited its most sensitive bands within 550–2030 nm, while at the leaf level, the sensitive range was 400–780 nm. LPC was responsive in 517–995 nm and 2030–2269 nm at the canopy level, while responsive in 545–995 nm and around 2166 nm at the leaf level. The bands sensitive to LKC were observed in 519–976 nm and 1513–2058 nm at the canopy level, and 545–995 nm at the leaf level. The RF model consistently achieved the highest prediction accuracy among models based on the identified sensitive bands. At the canopy level, LNC was estimated with the highest accuracy (R²=0.81, RMSE=0.39 %), followed by LPC (R²=0.75, RMSE=0.09 %) and LKC (R²=0.70, RMSE=0.34 %). At the leaf level, LNC again showed the best performance (R²=0.82, RMSE=0.37 %), followed by LKC (R²=0.74, RMSE=0.30 %) outperforming LPC (R²=0.66, RMSE=0.09 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of hyperspectral and multispectral technologies for crop nutrient estimation. The sensitive spectral bands and modeling approaches identified through meta-analysis enable accurate estimation of LNC, LPC, and LKC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"329 ","pages":"Article 109961"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143906009","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":"Soybean yield response to management practices (4–40 years) and soil health parameters","authors":"Tatiane Severo Silva ,&nbsp;Lindsay Chamberlain Malone ,&nbsp;Matthew D. Ruark ,&nbsp;Spyridon Mourtzinis ,&nbsp;Chad D. Lee ,&nbsp;David Jordan ,&nbsp;Herman J. Kandel ,&nbsp;Jeremy Ross ,&nbsp;John M. Gaska ,&nbsp;Joseph G. Lauer ,&nbsp;Laura E. Lindsey ,&nbsp;Maninder Pal Singh ,&nbsp;Mark A. Licht ,&nbsp;Michael Plumblee ,&nbsp;Rachel A. Vann ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Werle ,&nbsp;Seth L. Naeve ,&nbsp;Trenton L. Roberts ,&nbsp;Shawn P. Conley","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109959","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109959","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>The associations among soil health, management practices, and environmental conditions are complex, and research often focuses on specific practices or regional contexts. This have led to varying results regarding which soil health parameters are most influential for soybean yield.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>In this study, we investigated the effects of soil health measurements, agricultural management practices (4–40 years), inherent soil properties, location-specific factors, and soil fertility analytical results on soybean (<em>Glycine max</em> L. Merr.) seed yield.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Soil samples (0–15 cm) were collected in 2023 from 17 agricultural research trials across the US. Soil health measurements, inherent soil properties, and soil fertility analytical results were assessed. Field management history and yield data were reported by the collaborators, and publicly available weather data (precipitation and temperature) were retrieved. Conditional inference trees were used to identify soybean yield influential factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Soybean seed yield was mainly driven by planting date. Trials planted before 26 May averaged 4809 kg ha⁻¹ , 55 % greater yields than planting after 26 May (2649 kg ha⁻¹). Longitude, along with soil organic carbon (SOC), autoclaved citrate extractable N (ACE-N), and soil test potassium (STK) were also important factors explaining yield variability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results demonstrated that planting date was the most critical factor driving soybean seed yield, yet yield responses are modulated to a lesser extent by longitude, SOC, ACE-N, and STK.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>To optimize soybean yield, conservation practices should prioritize early planting and soil health improvement. These findings can help identify soil health parameters associated with soybean seed yield for future long-term research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"329 ","pages":"Article 109959"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143906007","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":"Popcorn stand reduction in the United States Midwest: Insights on plant traits and grain yield","authors":"I.P. Lisboa ,&nbsp;A.J. McMechan ,&nbsp;R.W. Elmore ,&nbsp;C.A. Proctor ,&nbsp;Allen Geyer ,&nbsp;Peter Thomison ,&nbsp;Alexander Lindsey ,&nbsp;Mark Zarnstorff ,&nbsp;James Houx ,&nbsp;O.A. Ortez","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109955","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109955","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Crop yield losses due to plant stand reductions are well documented in field corn (dent type), but there is little information specific to popcorn’s yield losses. Current efforts to assess yield loss from stand reductions in popcorn rely on data generated on field corn genetics (dent type) which are not necessarily representative of popcorn genetics.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Evaluate remaining plant’s traits and grain yield in plots subjected to three stand reduction levels at three developmental stages.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A stand reduction study was established in Ohio and Nebraska from 2017 to 2019. The treatments included an untreated control, 25, 50, and 75 % stand reduction at V3, V8, and V13 development stages.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ear and grain yield of remaining plants increased with stand reduction. However, the yield increase per plant with lower stands was unable to offset the overall yield losses per hectare (due to fewer plants contributing to grain yield). Additionally, differences in plant traits were observed (e.g., plant height, lodging, grain moisture, ears plant⁻¹, tillers plant⁻¹), depending on stand reduction treatments and their timing.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>individual popcorn plants exhibited some level of plasticity to partially offset yield losses from stand reductions at early and mid-vegetative stages. Per plant yield compensation capacity is greater when the stand reduction occurs earlier in the season.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Popcorn yield response to stand reduction was influenced by timing and intensity. Our findings will enable more accurate popcorn yield loss assessments and aid crop insurance and farmers in the US Midwest region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"329 ","pages":"Article 109955"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143904123","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":"Optimizing stubble returning rate in mulched farmland to balance trade-offs between greenhouse gas emission and maize yield under climate change","authors":"Lihong Wu ,&nbsp;Bin Wang ,&nbsp;Hao Quan ,&nbsp;De Li Liu ,&nbsp;Hao Feng ,&nbsp;Fangzheng Chen ,&nbsp;Lianhai Wu ,&nbsp;Qiang Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109964","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109964","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Plastic film mulching (PM) is a widely adopted technique for enhancing crop yield in arid and semiarid regions. However, the improved soil hydrothermal conditions under PM may accelerate the mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC) and increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Concurrently, crop stubble return, while widely recognized for its benefits in improving soil properties and mitigating GHG emissions, has demonstrated inconsistent effects on crop yield. Given the individual advantages of these practices, their combined application may offer a sustainable agricultural approach to achieving high yields and low GHG emissions. It is important to investigate the long-term combined effects of stubble return and PM on SOC dynamics, crop productivity, and GHG emissions under future climate change scenarios.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We aim to investigate the novel synergy of PM combined with stubble return as a strategy to achieve high yield and environmental sustainability under future climate change.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The SPACSYS model was calibrated using seven years of field trial data to evaluate its precision in simulating yield, SOC dynamics, and GHG emissions in Yangling, northwest China. Our simulations utilized an ensemble of 27 global climate models across two emission scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 to drive the model. We explored multiple agronomic strategies, including 11 stubble return levels (from 0 % to 100 % in 10 % increments) and two mulching practices (no mulching and PM), to identify the optimal management practice under future climate change.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The yields of the reference management (CK, without mulching and stubble return) are projected to decline by 20.3 % and 60.0 % under SSP245 and SSP585, respectively, during the 2080 s (2061–2100), compared to the baseline period (1981–2020). Additionally, SOC under the CK is expected to decrease by 23.6–29.7 % in the 2040 s and by 43.0–58.1 % in the 2080 s. An optimal scenario involving 100 % stubble return with PM (PM_R100) increases yields in the 2040 s and mitigates yield losses in the 2080 s under SSP585, compared to CK during the baseline. Furthermore, PM_R100 leads to an increase of 11.1–23.6 % in SOC during the 2040 s and alleviates SOC decomposition in the 2080 s under SSP585. PM_R100 also reduces global warming potential (GWP) compared to CK, transforming the dryland maize system into a carbon sink in the 2040 s.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;PM combined with 100 % stubble return is the optimal practice to increase yield and SOC stock while reducing GWP. This approach effectively ensures high yields and promotes sustainable agriculture under climate change.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Significance&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Our study underscores the significance of adopting stubble return practices in dryland rainfed areas where PM is applied. Our ","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"328 ","pages":"Article 109964"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922781","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}