Field Crops Research最新文献

{"title":"Impact of intercropping and low-external input integrated pest management on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) in maize","authors":"M. Srinivasa Rao,&nbsp;T.V. Prasad,&nbsp;D.L.A. Gayatri,&nbsp;C.A. Rama Rao,&nbsp;K. Srinivas,&nbsp;G. Pratibha,&nbsp;Timmanna,&nbsp;M. Prabhakar,&nbsp;V.K. Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109868","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109868","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The Fall armyworm (FAW) or <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em>, an invasive insect pest, is polyphagous and destructive to maize crop in India. Farmers are resorting to the indiscriminate use of insecticides for its control. Solely resorting on chemical insecticides is uneconomical, and unsustainable. Further, practicing monocropping encourages pest incidence while intercropping creates the crop diversity and provides natural control. Thus, it is imperative to identify environmentally and economically sustainable pest management options.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Achieving a system with improved entomological, agronomical, and economic efficiencies by accomplishing low-external-input integrated pest management (LEIIPM) and promoting the crop diversity through intercropping for the management of <em>S. frugiperda.</em></div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Efficacy of the pest management treatments based on readily available low external inputs such as application of additional K-nutrition, prophylactic measures, biorationals and their integration as LEIIPM module were evaluated in comparison with chemical control and untreated check. These treatments were imposed across three cropping systems viz., sole crop of maize, maize+cowpea (1:2), and maize+pigeonpea (2:1). Insect pest incidence was monitored at weekly intervals by recording absolute larval population, leaf damage, and the natural enemy (Coccinellids and Spiders) population. The competitive behavior of maize and intercrops was estimated in terms of maize equivalent yields (MEY) land equivalent ratio (LER), and area time equivalent ratio (ATER). The economic efficiency of these systems in terms of marginal rate of returns (MRR) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Intercropping maize with cowpea reduced the absolute larval population in the vegetative (30 %) and reproductive stages (24.54 %) of the crop in LEIIPM. A similar reduction was observed when intercropped with pigeonpea. Natural enemy population (coccinellids and spiders) was higher in maize+cowpea system (1.19 and 0.94) followed by maize+pigeonpea (1.1 and 0.86) with LEIIPM module. Agronomic efficiency measured in terms of MEY (58.10), LER (1.69) and ATER (1.45) and economic efficiency in terms of BCR (1:5.45) and MRR (6.45) were higher in maize+cowpea system with LEIIPM module.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Integration of diversified cropping systems with non-chemical approaches in the form of LEIIPM was agronomically suitable, entomologically efficient, and cost-effective in the management of <em>S. frugiperda</em> in maize crop.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>LEIIPM with diversified intercropping systems in maize offers effective and economical insect pest management. However, in order to achieve the effective management, timeliness, planning, preparation in advance and area-wide adoption are required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109868"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143703963","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":"Deciphering the role of genotype-by-environment interaction in summer maize hybrids based on multiple traits using envirotyping techniques and genotype by yield × trait approaches","authors":"Haiwang Yue ,&nbsp;das Graças Dias Kaio Olimpio ,&nbsp;Jiashuai Zhu ,&nbsp;Junzhou Bu ,&nbsp;Jianwei Wei ,&nbsp;Pengcheng Liu ,&nbsp;Haoxiang Yang ,&nbsp;Xuwen Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109875","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109875","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The use of high-yielding, stable, and widely adaptable summer maize hybrids is essential for the sustainable cultivation of maize globally. However, contemporary breeding programs face challenges in identifying genotypes that exhibit consistent performance while maintaining desired agronomic characteristics across diverse environments. Dynamic shifts in global meteorological and edaphic conditions have impacted the evaluation of summer maize performance in China's multi-environment trials (METs). Multi-perspective analysis of genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) is then essential for characterizing maize yield stability and trait expression across agroecological zones.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the performance and stability of maize genotypes in the Huang-Huai-Hai region by integrating environmental techniques (ETs) with multi-trait selection methods.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-eight maize hybrids and a check hybrid (ZD958) were evaluated across 29 locations in the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China during the 2019–2021 cropping seasons, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Based on 30 years (1993–2023) of environmental data, which included 19 meteorological and 6 soil physicochemical factors, the ETs classified the 29 locations across eight provinces into six distinct mega-environments (MEs). The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model analysis revealed that genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G×E) significantly influenced (p &lt; 0.05) for all agronomic parameters from 2019 to 2021. The combined performance of grain yield and other agronomic traits—such as growth period, plant height, ear height, lodging rate, barren stalk rate, grain moisture content at harvest, ear row number, bare tip length, and 100-grain weight—across different MEs was assessed using the genotype by yield × trait (GYT) biplot approach. The integration of GYT biplots with ETs effectively identified dominant hybrids across different MEs. Among the evaluated hybrids from 2019 to 2021, HY1604 exhibited both high yield and stability in MEs 1–4, categorizing it as a high-yielding, stable hybrid. HY573 and SD610 demonstrated relatively balanced performance in yield-trait combinations in MEs 5 and 6, respectively. The control hybrid, ZD958, showed strong stability but average yield performance over the three-year MET period.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>The use of environmental characterization techniques to delineate MEs, combined with the GYT biplot approach to evaluate yield, adaptability, and stability, facilitated precise variety placement, and provided a robust theoretical framework for the comprehensive evaluation of multiple traits in summer maize hybrids in the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109875"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143703962","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":"Site-specific nutrient management for rice using soil properties to adjust phosphorus and potassium supply from compound NPK fertilizer","authors":"Setia Sari Girsang ,&nbsp;Rowena L. Castillo ,&nbsp;Mahyuddin Syam ,&nbsp;Zulkifli Zaini ,&nbsp;Sunendar Kartaatmadja ,&nbsp;Suyamto ,&nbsp;Judith Carla Dela Torre ,&nbsp;Irish Lorraine B. Pabuayon ,&nbsp;Romalene A. Limpiada ,&nbsp;Waluyo ,&nbsp;Helmi ,&nbsp;Samijan ,&nbsp;Rohmad Budiono ,&nbsp;Muhammad Hatta ,&nbsp;Nurhayati ,&nbsp;Ngurah Bagus Kamandalu ,&nbsp;Bambang Susanto ,&nbsp;Dorkas Parhusip ,&nbsp;Zainal Abidin ,&nbsp;Roland J. Buresh","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Compound fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are often applied to rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) in Asia, but the fixed P:K ratio of these fertilizers can restrict the adjustment of P and K rates to match crop needs.</div></div><div><h3>Objective or research question</h3><div>We hypothesized that site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) using a locally available NPK fertilizer could increase rice yield and then that soil properties could be used to better adjust nutrient inputs to match crop needs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Yield responses to added N, P, and K in on-farm nutrient omission plot technique (NOPT) trials across Indonesia were used to develop an SSNM practice, which was evaluated relative to farmer’s fertilizer practice (FFP) in 528 on-farm trials with lowland rice. Relationships of soil properties with yield responses were then examined across 38 additional trials on diverse soils.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>An SSNM practice with one NPK fertilizer supplying all P and K increased yield by 0.4 Mg ha⁻¹ and increased gross return above fertilizer cost by 173 USD ha⁻¹ compared to FFP. The SSNM practice used less N and P but slightly more K than FFP. Median relative yields — defined as the ratio of yield in a nutrient omission plot and yield in a full-fertilizer plot — were 0.75 without added N, 0.94 without added P, and 0.94 without added K for 252 NOPT trials. Based on NOPT trials, the SSNM practice could be improved by applying more K at some locations because the P:K ratio of 0.52 (P₂O₅:K₂O = 1) for the NPK fertilizer was higher than the estimated optimum to meet crop needs. Higher K requirement was associated with soil pH &lt; 5.5, soil K saturation &lt; 1.8 %, and soil base saturation &lt; 40 %.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Farmer’s P use for rice can often be reduced with an upper limit for the P rate set to match the net removal of P by the crop. An NPK fertilizer with P:K ratio = 0.44–0.52 would meet P and K requirements at many locations, and a mid-season topdressing of additional K could be targeted to locations requiring more K. Higher K use could target areas with soil pH &lt; 5.5, which could be approximated from soil maps and verified with soil test kits.</div></div><div><h3>Implications or significance</h3><div>The examination of associations between crop response to a nutrient and soil properties, other than soil nutrient status, merits use elsewhere to identify soil characteristics helpful in fine-tuning SSNM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109864"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143703961","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":"Response of reactive nitrogen losses and nitrogen fate in the soil-crop system to intercropping regimes","authors":"Dongyang Gui,&nbsp;Kaihong Zhang,&nbsp;Zhipeng Sha","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109870","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109870","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Reactive nitrogen (N) loss from cropping systems is strongly influenced by cultivation regimes and microbial activity involved in soil N cycling. Intercropping offers ecological benefits, including enhanced crop yield, improved soil fertility, and increased resource use efficiency, making it a promising strategy for achieving sustainable agriculture.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>However, the complex interspecific interactions and rhizosphere networks in intercropping systems alter N cycling and losses, and the underlying driving factors remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employed a meta-analytical approach and a linear mixed-effects model to assess the effects of intercropping on soil reactive N losses (N₂O emissions, NH₃ volatilisation, N leaching, and runoff) and N fate in soil-crop systems (using data from ¹⁵N tracer trials).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings indicate that intercropping significantly reduced soil NH₃ volatilisation, N leaching, and runoff while enhancing the recovery of N derived from fertilisers (Ndff) in soil compared to monoculture. The adoption of intercropping in regions with high mean annual precipitation (MAP &gt; 800 mm) or mean annual temperature (MAT &gt; 20 ℃) as well as in soils that are alkaline (pH &gt; 8), low in soil organic carbon (SOC ≤ 10 g kg⁻¹), or moderate in total N (1 &lt; STN ≤ 1.5 g kg^-¹), in conjunction with high N application rates (NAR &gt; 200 Kg N ha^-¹), resulted in relatively lower NH₃ volatilisation, N leaching, and runoff compared to monoculture. Furthermore, cereal–legume intercropping was found to reduce N₂O emissions. Intercropping in soils with low SOC and STN (STN ≤ 1 g kg⁻¹) or using moderate N application (100 &lt; NAR ≤ 200 Kg N ha⁻¹) increased Ndff recovery in soil and the total soil-crop system.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Intercropping has substantial potential to reduce soil reactive N losses and enhance Ndff recovery in soil-crop systems. The selection of suitable intercropping types, N application rates, and soil conditions should be carefully considered to maximise its effectiveness.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>These findings provide robust recommendations for the future adoption of intercropping practices, the mitigation of N pollution, and sustainable management of N in agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109870"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143703960","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 plant density and nitrogen fertilization in jujube/cotton intercropping systems for sustainable yield and reduced greenhouse gas emissions","authors":"Nan Cao ,&nbsp;Guodong Chen ,&nbsp;Shuang Wang ,&nbsp;Huqiang Li ,&nbsp;Jiao Lin ,&nbsp;Qiang Hu ,&nbsp;Sumei Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109873","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109873","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Jujube (<em>Zizyphus jujube</em> Mill.) and cotton (<em>Gossypium hirsutum</em> L.), renowned for their drought and salt tolerance, form a resilient intercropping system in arid northwest China. While optimizing planting density and nitrogen (N) fertilization can enhance system productivity, their combined effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon (C) sequestration and yield in such systems remain understudied. We hypothesize that strategic adjustments to plant density and N management could achieve sustainable yield while mitigating GHG emissions in the intercropping system.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment evaluated three planting densities (D1: 14 × 10⁴, D2: 18 × 10⁴, D3: 22 × 10⁴ plants ha⁻¹) and three N application rates (N1: 140, N2: 280, N3: 420 kg N ha⁻¹) to quantify impacts on yield, GHG emissions (CO₂, N₂O, CH₄), soil C storage, and N use efficiency (NUE) in a jujube/cotton intercropping system.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Increasing plant density and N rates elevated CO₂ and N₂O emissions by 37.8–69.4 % and 18.6–70.3 %, respectively, while diminishing CH₄ uptake under higher N inputs. The D2N2 treatment (18 ×10⁴ plants ha⁻¹, 280 kg N ha⁻¹) achieved the highest seedcotton yield, surpassing D3N2 (22 × 10⁴ plants ha⁻¹, 280 kg N ha⁻¹) and D3N3 (22 × 10⁴ plants ha⁻¹, 420 kg N ha⁻¹) by 9.7 % and 11.2 %, respectively. This combination (D2N2) also minimized greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) by 55.8–120.1 % and enhanced NUE by 48.3 % compared to D2N3. Soil organic C (SOC) storage increased by 13.5–23.8 % under D2N2, whereas excessive N application (N3) reduced soil inorganic C (SIC) by 9.6–17.7 %.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Optimizing plant density (18 × 10⁴ plants ha⁻¹) and N fertilization (280 kg N ha⁻¹) synergistically balances productivity, GHG mitigation, and soil C sequestration. These findings highlight the viability of tailored agronomic practices to achieve environmentally sustainable intercropping systems in arid regions, aligning with global climate resilience goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109873"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697707","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":"Lessons about soil health and corn yield after a decade of cover crop and corn residue management","authors":"Hans W. Klopp ,&nbsp;Humberto Blanco- Canqui ,&nbsp;Paul Jasa ,&nbsp;Glen Slater ,&nbsp;Richard B. Ferguson","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109860","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109860","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Including cover crops (CCs) in no-till cropping systems can improve soil health, but little is known how much improvement occurs when CCs are terminated at different times combined with corn (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) residue removal at different rates.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Our objective was to study how cereal rye (<em>Secale cereale</em> L.) CC terminated early (2–3 wk before corn planting) and late (at corn planting) affected CC biomass production, corn yield, and soil properties under corn residue removal at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % in a rainfed and an irrigated site under no-till continuous corn after 10 years (yr).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Corn grain yield and CC biomass production was measured annually throughout the 10 yr of this study. After 10 years, soil samples were collected from the 0–5 cm depth and a comprehensive analysis of soil properties was done. Soil properties measured included bulk density, wet aggregate stability, water content at −33 and −1500 kPa matric potentials, plant available water, organic matter, soil nutrients. and soil microbial groups. Only cover crop biomass and corn yields from years 6–10 is included in this manuscript.</div></div><div><h3>Results and discussion</h3><div>Corn residue removal increased CC biomass production in 4 of 8 site-years in years 6–10 of this study, and late CC termination increased CC biomass production from 0.17 to 0.31 Mg ha⁻¹ at the rainfed site and from 0.25 to 1.21 Mg ha⁻¹ at the irrigated site over early-terminated CC. Corn residue removal and CC termination timing did not affect corn yield. At the irrigated site, corn residue and CC management did not affect most of the soil properties. However, at the rainfed site, 25–50 % or greater of corn residue removal reduced soil organic matter (13 %), particulate organic matter (19 %), and plant available water (43 %). Late-terminated CC reduced bulk density by 10 % and increased soil organic matter by 9 % over no CC at the rainfed site.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>After 10 yr, late-terminated CC had greater biomass production and benefits soil health. However, this did not enable higher rates of residue to be removed before negatively affecting soil properties. Removing crop residues and CC termination timing did not affect corn grain yield.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Cereal rye CC can be terminated as late as corn planting to optimize biomass production and does not affect corn grain yield. Long term corn residue removal for expanded uses does not affect corn grain yield but can have negative effects on soil health. Late termination of CC did not allow for more corn residue to be removed before degrading soil health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109860"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685000","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":"Insights gained from modeling grain yield, nitrate leaching, and soil nitrogen dynamics in a long-term field experiment with spring cereals on fertilized and unfertilized soil over 35 years","authors":"David Nimblad Svensson ,&nbsp;Helena Aronsson ,&nbsp;Per-Erik Jansson ,&nbsp;Elisabet Lewan","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Crop models are useful tools for predicting changes in yield and nitrogen losses in response to changes in agricultural management practices and climate. We used a soil-crop model (CoupModel) to interpret trends in yields, drainage, and nitrate leaching observed for two contrasting treatments (fertilized and unfertilized cereals) in a long-term field experiment (35 years) on a sandy loam in southern Sweden. The model was calibrated using a Monte Carlo-based method, in which the 30 best simulations of 10,000 model runs were identified based on multiple criteria. The posterior distributions differed significantly between the two treatments for 6 of the 16 parameters included. For example, the decomposition rate coefficient of the slow organic matter pool was significantly larger in the unfertilized treatment. The model simulated yearly drainage and nitrate leaching well overall, but did not fully capture between-year variations. Although the simulated mean annual nitrate leaching was 1.4 times greater in the fertilized treatment, N leached per unit of N harvest was twice as large in the unfertilized plot. The model simulated substantial decreases in yield for both treatments in 2018 in response to an extremely hot and dry summer, although not as large as that observed. The range in simulated annual N mineralization due to parameter uncertainty was wider in the fertilized treatment. We conclude that model calibration strategies require careful attention to how different management practices may influence decomposition and long-term N balance components in agroecosystems and that more data on especially belowground biomass would help in reducing uncertainties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109856"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685001","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":"Effective potassium management for sustainable crop production based on soil potassium availability","authors":"Zhen Xu ,&nbsp;Tingzhen Lai ,&nbsp;Shuang Li ,&nbsp;Dongxia Si ,&nbsp;Chaochun Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109865","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109865","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient for sustainable crop production. The impact of exogenous K input on soil K apparent balance has been increasingly investigated; however, the effects of K input on K reserves and crop yields in soils with different characteristics are not well understood. This study conducted a six-season crop field experiment at Quzhou site (QZ), a region with inherently high soil K availability, and Liaocheng (LC) site, a region with low soil K availability. It examined the impacts of K fertilizer application, with straw retention and straw removal, on soil K reserves and yield sustainability of winter wheat-summer maize in the North China Plain. The results indicated that co-application of K fertilizer and straw did not influence crop annual yield at QZ but significantly increased yields by 21 % at LC, and the co-application did not significantly affect the sustainable yield index at both sites. Crop K uptake was higher at QZ than at LC and was increased by straw retention at both sites, suggesting straw is a vital supplement for promoting K uptake. NH₄OAc-extractable K was most abundant in the topsoil but was likely translocated to deeper soil layers with higher K inputs, especially at the LC site. Slowly available K decreased for straw removal with no K fertilizer at both sites, but for application of 332 kg K ha⁻¹, the slowly available K remained unchanged at QZ and increased at LC. The recommended K fertilization rate of 112 kg K ha⁻¹ had no significant effect on soil NH₄OAc extractable K concentration at QZ but the increase in that concentration at LC was only observed with straw retention. In words, for soils initially rich in K, a sustainable K management strategy should consider adjusting K apparent balances based on K fertilizer prices. In contrast, for soils naturally deficient in K, enhancing soil K fertility through K fertilization is essential, alongside the strategic use of straw.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109865"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685003","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":"Integrating yield gap analysis to capture genotype by environment by management interactions for Australian broadacre sorghum cropping systems","authors":"Ismail I. Garba ,&nbsp;Javier A. Fernandez ,&nbsp;Qiaomin Chen ,&nbsp;Carla Gho ,&nbsp;Peter deVoil ,&nbsp;Mark Cooper ,&nbsp;Scott C. Chapman","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Australia contributes ∼ 3 % of the global grain sorghum production despite relatively large gaps between water-limited potential (PYw) and attainable on-farm (AYw) yields. With sorghum yield gaps typically 59 % of the PYw in Australia, it is important to identify the drivers of these yield gaps and what are the optimal genotype (G) × environment (E) × management (M) combinations needed for sustainable improvement of sorghum productivity.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>APSIM farming systems modelling framework was used to simulate comprehensive G × E × M scenarios for sorghum in Australia using modern hybrids and current management to (1) define the PYw fronts and identify key drivers of spatial sorghum yield variability, and (2) determine desirable G × M combinations that can improve sorghum productivity and stability across the expected range of seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) for the Australian Target Population of Environments (TPE).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We use a set of 70 comprehensive national variety trials (NVT) data from 2017 – 2021 to parameterize and evaluate APSIM and then subsequently apply the model to define the range of G × E × M dimensions for sorghum TPEs in Australia. From these, we systematically simulate 93 sites-soil combinations for 103 years to extend the NVT to other fields beyond the NVT sites directly sampled. Using yield frontier analysis, we then define the expected PYw fronts, yield variability and the drivers of this variability.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A non-linear relationship was observed between simulated grain yields and seasonal ET with most yields between 2.6 and 4.5 t ha⁻¹ associated with an ET of 167 – 420 mm. The yield opportunity frontiers were estimated to fall between 9.4 t ha⁻¹ (Q80 %) and 12.0 t ha⁻¹ (Q99 %). Nitrogen application rate at sowing explained the greatest component of the grain yield variation across most subregions. We found that most crop failures (defined as yield at or below Q10 %; 1.1 t ha⁻¹) occurred under low N and high plant density with greater risks in North-East and North-Central Queensland. Yield failure risks were higher at higher densities, while earlier sowing buffered against these crop failures.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study estimated PYw fronts and yield gap distributions for sorghum, elucidating the drivers of spatial sorghum yield variability for the Australian sorghum TPE. This finding highlights potential opportunities to close the on-farm yield gaps through optimized region-specific agronomic recommendations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109858"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685005","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":"Effects of nitrogen application levels on soybean photosynthetic performance and yield: Insights from canopy nitrogen allocation studies","authors":"Binbin Qiang ,&nbsp;Suyu Chen ,&nbsp;Zhen Fan ,&nbsp;Liang Cao ,&nbsp;Xin Li ,&nbsp;Chenye Fu ,&nbsp;Yuxian Zhang ,&nbsp;Xijun Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109871","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109871","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Increasing photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency(PNUE) at the canopy level can increase seed yield with reduced nitrogen inputs. An appropriate increase in nitrogen application can maximize canopy optimal nitrogen allocation and improve nitrogen use efficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objectives of this study were to employ a plot comparison approach to study the vertical distribution of light and nitrogen attenuation in crop canopy, the variations in nitrogen allocation within the photosynthetic system, and the limiting factors of PNUE based on the soybean(<em>Glycine max</em> L.) leaves at different positions during the filling stage.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted in Heshan Farm, Heilongjiang Province(China), to evaluate the effects of two soybean varieties and four nitrogen applications.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>The results showed that an appropriate nitrogen increases photosynthetic rate(Pn) in the middle and lower leaves and slows down the aging process and chlorophyll degradation in the lower leaves. As the canopy height decreases, the limiting factors that restrict PNUE transition from carboxylation and electron transport system to light-harvesting and electron transport system. Increasing nitrogen applications can significantly improve PNUE in the lower leaves. Two years of soybean yield showed that the N1 averagely increased by 38.1 % for Jinyuan55 and N1.5 increased by 47.1 % for Keshan1 compared to N0. Nitrogen application significantly improves the allocation of photosynthetic nitrogen in the middle and upper leaf positions, promoting the hundred-grain weight in the middle and upper leaf positions. In summary, optimized nitrogen allocation accounted for the improvement in canopy PNUE while maintaining a high grain yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"326 ","pages":"Article 109871"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143685006","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}