Field Crops Research最新文献

{"title":"Ethephon combined with synergist promoted grain formation by improving photosynthetic performance and floret development of maize","authors":"Zhi Wang ,&nbsp;Zheng Liu ,&nbsp;Ruixian Liu ,&nbsp;Baoyuan Zhou ,&nbsp;Xinbing Wang ,&nbsp;Zaisong Ding ,&nbsp;Renhe Zhang ,&nbsp;Congfeng Li ,&nbsp;Ming Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110140","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110140","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Ethephon is used worldwide to improve the lodging resistance of maize, especially under high planting density, while limits grain formation. The mechanism of alleviating/eliminating the negative effects of ethephon on grain formation is still controversial.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The purpose of this study was to improve the lodging resistance regulation scheme to explore the effects of combined application of ethephon and synergist on the photosynthetic performance and grain formation of maize population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Xianyu335 was used as the experimental material at two planting densities (low density, 67,500 plants ha⁻¹, LD; high density, 97,500 plants ha⁻¹, HD) and three chemical regulation modes (CK: clean water; ETH: spraying ethephon at 8th leaf stage; PHS: spraying ethephon at 8th leaf stage and spraying synergist at 11th leaf stage) at each planting density. The experiment assessed photosynthetic performance (chlorophyll, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate, etc.), dry matter, floret growth and development parameters, grain filling parameters, and yield.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Under LD conditions, PHS did not significantly increase grain yield. Under HD conditions without lodging, ETH yield decreased by 14.09 %, while PHS yield increased by 12.51 %; under HD conditions with lodging, ETH yield increased by 25.53 % and PHS yield increased by 40.28 %. PHS under HD reduced chlorophyll-degrading enzyme activity and increased carbon assimilation key enzyme activity, resulting in 15.02 % and 60.18 % increases in chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate, respectively, which promoted dry matter accumulation at physiological maturity by 21.28 %. Moreover, PHS increased the number of fertilized florets by 6.01 % and reduced abortive grains 54.50 %, respectively, leading to a 14.75 % increase in grain number, compared with CK. At the same time, the leaf area index at physiological maturity increased by 29.66 % under PHS. This improvement led to a higher filling rate during the later stages of maize growth and extended the filling period by approximately 8.5 days. As a result, PHS increased grain weight by 6.62 % compared with CK.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Compared with CK, PHS significantly enhances the net photosynthetic rate and delays leaf senescence, which increases the number and weight of grains while mitigating grain abortion driven by young ear growth and grain-filling, ultimately promoting grain yield of maize, especially under high planting density.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>PHS is a possible management method to achieve the common progress of lodging resistance and grain yield, which will be beneficial in promoting the further improvement of maize yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110140"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046957","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":"Landscape configurations with greater seminatural habitat and edge density enhance soybean yield across multiple spatial scales","authors":"Leonardo D. Amarilla ,&nbsp;Gabriel Grilli ,&nbsp;Daihana S. Argibay ,&nbsp;Agustín Vargas Clérico ,&nbsp;Pablo Y. Huais ,&nbsp;Mariana P. Mazzei ,&nbsp;Nicolás Szawarski ,&nbsp;Carolina Torres ,&nbsp;Matías Maggi ,&nbsp;José L. Vesprini ,&nbsp;Leonardo Galetto","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Semi-natural habitat amount and configuration are key drivers of ecosystem processes that support soybean crop yield, such as pollination and natural pest control. However, their influence across spatial scales remains poorly understood, with existing evidence often limited or contradictory. Clarifying how the habitat amount and configuration shape yield—and whether threshold effects occur— is essential to guide effective landscape management strategies in agroecosystems.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study assessed how seminatural habitat amount and configuration (edge density) influence soybean seed number, seed mass, and yield across Argentina’s major soybean-producing regions, and whether threshold effects exist in these relationships.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed data from 58 soybean crop fields distributed across four major soybean-producing regions in Argentina. Using linear mixed-effects models, we assessed the influence of habitat amount and edge density at three spatial scales (buffers of 1.5, 3, and 6 km) on seed number per plant, seed mass per plant, and crop yield. Generalized additive mixed models and segmented regressions were used to test threshold effects.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both seminatural habitat amount and edge density positively influenced seed number per plant, seed mass per plant, and soybean yield across the three landscape scales studied. Yield increased steadily with habitat amount, indicating no saturation across the studied range. In contrast, edge density within 6-km radius buffer areas showed a potential threshold: benefits leveled off or declined beyond 23.26 m/ha.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings highlight the ecological importance of seminatural habitats in agroecosystems. They emphasize the need to avoid applying fixed thresholds universally and instead design context-specific landscape management strategies that promote a heterogeneous and functionally connected agricultural matrix, maximizing soybean yield while conserving seminatural habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110143"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145027506","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":"Evaluating climate-driven yield responses in Canola: Insights from 12 years of data from South Africa","authors":"A.A. Le Roux, S.J.E. Midgley, J.A. Strauss, P.J.A. Lombard, P.A. Swanepoel","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110128","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110128","url":null,"abstract":"Canola (<ce:italic>Brassica napus L</ce:italic>.) is a key rotational crop in Mediterranean-type dryland farming systems, yet its yield is highly sensitive to rainfall variability and temperature extremes.","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145059528","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":"Intra-seasonal rainfall patterns and extremes drive maize productivity and nitrogen use in sub-humid Zimbabwe","authors":"Abderrahim Bouhenache ,&nbsp;Gwenaëlle Lashermes ,&nbsp;Hugues Clivot ,&nbsp;Sylvie Recous ,&nbsp;Regis Chikowo ,&nbsp;Armwell Shumba ,&nbsp;Hope Mazungunye ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Matimba ,&nbsp;Gonzague Alavoine ,&nbsp;Olivier Delfosse ,&nbsp;Gatien N. Falconnier ,&nbsp;François Affholder ,&nbsp;Marc Corbeels ,&nbsp;Rémi Cardinael","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and purpose</h3><div>Increasing intra-seasonal rainfall variability poses a major challenge to the sustainable intensification of rainfed maize systems in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates how intra-seasonal rainfall patterns and extreme dry and wet events affect maize productivity and nitrogen (N) use, particularly under crop residue mulching—a practice widely promoted to improve soil water and N availability.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A maize field experiment with manipulated rainfall conditions was conducted over two cropping seasons (2022–23 and 2023–24) in sub-humid Zimbabwe. The factorial design combined three rainfall treatments (ambient, 30 % reduced rainfall, and heavy rainfall with two additional artificial events of 100 mm day⁻¹ each), with or without mulch (0 vs. 6 t DM ha⁻¹) and N fertilization (0 vs. 80 kg N ha⁻¹). Measured variables included aboveground biomass, plant N accumulation, grain yield, yield components, and harvest indices. The relative influence of rainfall variability and management practices was assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The two seasons showed contrasting rainfall: 2022–23 was near-normal, while 2023–24 (an El Niño year) was drier, with uneven rainfall distribution. Intra-seasonal rainfall patterns and extremes explained 78 % of maize yield variability. Poor rainfall distribution significantly decreased maize productivity and N use, despite adequate total seasonal rainfall. Rainfall reduction decreased yield by 22 % in 2022–23 but increased it by 20 % in 2023–24. Heavy rainfall, especially with N fertilization, doubled grain yield in 2023–24. Mulching provided no buffering effect and reduced maize biomass and N uptake by about one-third in 2023–24.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Intra-seasonal rainfall patterns and extremes were the dominant factors affecting maize productivity and N use, far outweighing the effects of mulch and N fertilization. These findings highlight the need for cropping strategies that better account for intra-seasonal rainfall variability to improve the resilience and sustainability of rainfed maize systems in sub-Saharan Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110126"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020379","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":"Integrated straw return and nitrogen management improve grain zinc in wheat grown on calcareous soils","authors":"Laichao Luo ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Hui ,&nbsp;Xianfeng Zheng ,&nbsp;Zhaohui Wang ,&nbsp;Yinglong Chen ,&nbsp;Ji Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Organic amendment and optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilization represent key agronomic strategies for enhancing zinc (Zn) concentration in cereal grains. To date, limited attention has been given to the effects of the simultaneous application of organic materials and N fertilizers on crop Zn enrichment.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of integrating maize straw return and N fertilization on Zn uptake, remobilization, and biochemical availability in wheat, as well as grain Zn biofortification.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A long-term field experiment was conducted in a winter wheat-summer maize rotation region in China, comparing two straw return levels and three N application rates. Key parameters assessed included Zn accumulation and remobilization in wheat, cellular Zn concentration, and the activity of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) in flag leaves, as well as grain Zn concentration and its bioavailability to humans.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Straw return increased grain Zn concentration and bioavailability by 9.6 % and 9.2 %, respectively. In contrast, N fertilization led to significantly greater increases of 26.6 % and 30.5 %, respectively. The combination of straw return and N fertilization elevated grain Zn concentration to 41.3–46.9 mg kg⁻¹, surpassing the biofortification target of 40 mg kg⁻¹. Similarly, N fertilization enhanced Zn concentration in the cell-soluble fractions of roots and flag leaves, as well as the activity of Cu/Zn-SOD and CA in flag leaves, shoot Zn accumulation, Zn remobilization from vegetative organs to grains, and grain Zn accumulation. In the straw return treatment, Zn concentration in the cell-soluble fractions and Cu/Zn-SOD and CA activity increased, but no significant changes were observed in Zn remobilization.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and implications</h3><div>For wheat grown in soils with a medium Zn supply, integrating straw return and optimized N application can effectively achieve grain Zn biofortification without the need for additional Zn fertilizer inputs. The increase in grain Zn concentration due to the combination of straw return and N application can be attributed to enhanced increased wheat Zn uptake, improved Zn remobilization to grains, and enhanced biochemical availability of Zn in plants. These findings provide valuable guidance for biofortifying Zn nutrition in wheat grains grown in non-deficient Zn soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110139"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020941","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":"Leaf senescence and source-sink dynamics in soybean: Insights from maize-soybean intercropping systems","authors":"Zhen Fan ,&nbsp;Binbin Qiang ,&nbsp;Yanrong Lin ,&nbsp;Pengzhao Liu ,&nbsp;Zhipeng Li ,&nbsp;Mengwei Cheng ,&nbsp;Xining Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaolong Ren ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110130","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Leaf senescence and source-sink dynamics are critical determinants of crop productivity. In maize-soybean intercropping systems, divergent ecological niches create asymmetric resource competition between species. However, whether interspecific competition affects soybean yield formation by altering leaf senescence dynamics remains unclear.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objectives&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;To investigate the leaf senescence process and source-sink balance patterns in different canopy layers (upper, middle, and lower leaves) and planting strips (border and inner row) of intercropped soybeans, elucidate the regulatory mechanisms linking leaf senescence dynamics to yield formation in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A three-year experiment was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in Yangling District, Shaanxi Province, involving three treatments: sole maize (SM), sole soybean (SS), and maize-soybean intercropping (IC).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Intercropping increased crop yield and land equivalent ratio (LER), with LER values ranging from 1.02 to 1.22. Across the three growing seasons, intercropped soybean (IS) yields exhibited interannual variability: reductions in 2022 (-17.5 %), marginal differences in 2021 (-4.4 %), and enhancements in 2023 (9.2 %) relative to sole soybean (SS). Before the beginning of the podding stage (R3), intercropped soybean faced significant shading from the adjacent maize. As the maize growing season progressed, intercropped soybean, particularly those in the border rows, received more photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) than sole soybean. Compared to sole cropping, intercropping significantly delayed the senescence of middle (by 2.85 days) and lower (by 4.84 days) canopy leaves in soybean, while the effect on upper leaves varied by year. In the later growth stages, the leaf area index (2.5 %–24.4 %), net photosynthetic rate (6.5 %–21.3 %), and chlorophyll content (11.4 %–29.7 %) of middle canopy leaves in intercropped soybean were significantly higher than those of sole soybean. In 2021 and 2023, intercropping delayed the time at which soybeans reached their maximum dry matter weight, which increased by 8.7 % and 11.5 % compared to sole cropping, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum grain filling rate of soybeans in the border rows increased by 8.8 % and 22.9 % compared to sole cropping.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The enhancement of light and water conditions during the later growth stages of soybean delayed leaf senescence and promoted the accumulation of photosynthetic assimilates after R3 stage. In wet years, intercropped soybean enhanced source growth and grain filling, optimized the source-sink relationship, and increased the yield of intercropped soybeans. In dry years, intercropped soybean faced source limitations, leading to a reduction in yield.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Implication&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Our study elucidates the regulatory mecha","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110130"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020380","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":"Genetic improvement in grain yield and kernel traits of 103- vs. 111-day maize hybrids","authors":"Kyle King ,&nbsp;Tony J. Vyn ,&nbsp;Slobodan Trifunovic ,&nbsp;Doug Eudy ,&nbsp;Kendall R. Lamkey ,&nbsp;Sotirios V. Archontoulis","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Genetic gain estimates for grain yields (a measure of breeding progress) need to be continuously updated as new maize hybrids enter the marketplace and environments and management practices are continuously evolving.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>1) To determine genetic gains in grain yield and secondary traits such as kernel number, kernel weight and grain moisture in 103-day and 111-day Bayer Legacy hybrids, and 2) to dissect the contributions of grain yield components to grain yield increase.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We examined 40 short-season hybrids (103-day) across 18 environments, and 38 full-season hybrids (111-day) across 26 environments in the US Corn Belt. The hybrids were released from 1980 to 2020 and had no biotech traits. We evaluated five maize traits: grain yield, kernel number, kernel weight, grain moisture, and test weight, and three efficiencies: yield per plant, yield per N-fertilizer applied, and shelling efficiency (kernel to ear weight). We estimated breeding genetic gain for each trait under 2021–2023 weather and crop management conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Grain yield significantly increased by 113 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ with no significant differences between maturity groups. Both grain yield components significantly increased with the year of hybrid release. Kernel number increase accounted for 72 % and 56 % of yield increase in 103 and 111-day hybrids, respectively. Genetic gain estimates for yield components were 3-times more variable across environments than grain yield. Yield per plant, yield per kg of N fertilizer, and shelling efficiency were significantly increased for both hybrid maturities, but grain moisture and test weight remained unchanged with the year of hybrid release.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Relative maturity affected the contribution of grain yield components to grain yield increase but not plant efficiencies.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study updates genetic gain estimates for Bayer Crop Science legacy hybrids using a comprehensive multi-environment dataset and provides valuable new information on secondary traits that enhance our understanding of grain yield formation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110125"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020939","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":"Dominant sources of prediction uncertainty in wheat crop models vary by simulation outputs","authors":"Min Kang ,&nbsp;Huxin Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuyuan Yang ,&nbsp;Qi Yang ,&nbsp;Liujun Xiao ,&nbsp;Leilei Liu ,&nbsp;Liang Tang ,&nbsp;Weixing Cao ,&nbsp;Yan Zhu ,&nbsp;Bing Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Uncertainty analysis, encompassing both prediction uncertainty due to model parameter and model structure, is a key element in crop model-based risk assessment and decision-making. It provides essential insights for risk assessors and decision-makers regarding the accuracy of model predictions. Despite its importance, previous studies have predominantly focused on uncertainties in crop phenology, with limited attention to uncertainties affecting crop yield.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to evaluate the uncertainties in various simulation outputs of crop models arising from both model parameter and structure, and to further investigate how parameter uncertainty influences simulated wheat phenology and yield under global warming.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using data from the International Heat Stress Genotype Experiment (IHSGE), we employed the MCMC method to evaluate prediction uncertainty due to model parameter, and evaluated prediction uncertainty due to model structure based on results from the AgMIP-Wheat multi-model simulations. The CSM-CERES-Wheat model, a widely applied wheat simulation model, was used in this analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>When compared to the prediction uncertainty due to model structure from 30 wheat models in the AgMIP-Wheat simulations, the prediction uncertainty due to model parameter of the CSM-CERES-Wheat model was found to be higher for flowering and maturity simulations. However, both model structure and parameter uncertainties were significant contributors to uncertainties in biomass, yield, and grain number simulations, with model structure uncertainty sometimes exceeding parameter uncertainty. Parameter estimation through the MCMC method significantly enhanced accuracy of CSM-CERES-Wheat model, with the ensemble mean reducing the RRMSE by 2 %-10 % in yield simulations. Uncertainty from both sources increases with higher growing-season temperatures and is projected to rise under global warming.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study highlights that uncertainty due to model parameter plays a crucial role in the accuracy of crop phenology simulations. Both model structure and parameter uncertainties significantly impact predictions for biomass, yield, and grain number, particularly in regions with higher temperature increases during the growing season. Global warming is expected to intensify parameter uncertainty at most sites.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>This study underscores the importance of accurately quantifying model uncertainty to enhance the reliability of crop model predictions, offering valuable insights for future crop impact assessments under climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110127"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020940","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":"Monitoring soil conservation techniques via UAV for sustainable production of intercropped forage cactus with reuse water in the Brazilian semiarid region","authors":"Lizandra de Barros de Sousa ,&nbsp;Abelardo Antônio de Assunção Montenegro ,&nbsp;Jorge Manuel G.P. Isidoro ,&nbsp;Thieres George Freire da Silva ,&nbsp;Thayná Alice Brito Almeida ,&nbsp;João Luis Mendes Pedroso de Lima ,&nbsp;Pedro Rogério Giongo ,&nbsp;Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz Jardim ,&nbsp;Marcos Vinícius da Silva ,&nbsp;Ênio Farias de França e Silva ,&nbsp;Breno Leonan de Carvalho Lima","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Sustainable agricultural production in semiarid regions is limited by water scarcity and soil degradation. Forage cactus (<em>Opuntia stricta</em>) has high drought tolerance but requires effective water and soil management to maximize yield.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the effects of mulching and intercropping with gliricidia and moringa, under treated wastewater irrigation, on forage cactus productivity and soil properties, and to assess the utility of UAV-based remote sensing and machine learning for field-scale monitoring and yield prediction.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A 15-month field experiment was conducted in Northeastern Brazil using a randomized block design (3 × 2 factorial; six treatments; four replicates). Treatments combined mulching (with and without mulch) and intercropping (gliricidia, moringa, or none). Biometric (height, cladode count), biomass (fresh and dry matter yield), and soil (organic carbon, electrical conductivity, moisture) variables were measured. High-resolution UAV multispectral imagery provided vegetation indices. Geostatistical analysis was applied for spatial variability mapping, and a Random Forest model predicted fresh matter yield (R² criterion).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mulching increased forage cactus height by 21 % and fresh matter yield by 70 % (p &lt; 0.05), raised soil organic carbon by 133 %, and reduced salinity by 61 %. Intercropping with gliricidia further improved fresh matter yield by 59.7 % and soil moisture compared to the non-intercropped control. UAV-derived indices (e.g., NDVI, vNDVI) correlated strongly with measured yields (r &gt; 0.75), and the Random Forest model achieved R² = 0.83 in yield prediction.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Under irrigation with treated wastewater, mulching and intercropping (particularly intercropping with gliricidia) were associated with the highest forage cactus productivity and improved soil indicators in semiarid conditions. UAV monitoring with machine learning supported field-scale diagnostics and fresh matter yield prediction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110120"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996988","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":"Critical nitrogen and potassium dilution curves for potato in Northeast China","authors":"Yiguang Fan ,&nbsp;Jiejie Fan ,&nbsp;Haikuan Feng ,&nbsp;Jibo Yue ,&nbsp;Xiuliang Jin ,&nbsp;Mingbo Bian ,&nbsp;Yanpeng Ma ,&nbsp;Yang Meng ,&nbsp;Zitai Zhang ,&nbsp;Lixiao Guo ,&nbsp;Yang Liu ,&nbsp;Riqiang Chen ,&nbsp;Guijun Yang ,&nbsp;Chunjiang Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Excessive nitrogen (N) application and insufficient potassium (K) inputs are prevalent in potato production across Northeast China, leading to nutrient imbalances that limit yield potential and reduce nutrient use efficiency. This underscores the need for robust diagnostic models to support site-specific nutrient management.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to (i) develop universal critical N and K dilution curves (CNDC and CKDC) for potato based on whole-plant biomass, with parameters uncertainty assessed across years and cultivars; and (ii) evaluate the relationship between tuber yield and N/K nutrition indices (NNI and KNI).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field trials were conducted over three years in Heilongjiang Province, involving four predominant potato cultivars under varying N and K treatments. A Bayesian framework was employed to develop CNDC and CKDC models and quantify parameter distributions across genotype × environment × management (G×E × M) scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The parameters of CNDC and CKDC models did not differ significantly across cultivars and years. The final models were defined as Nc = 4.91 W^−0.44 and Kc = 5.76 W^−0.35. Both NNI and KNI demonstrated strong quadratic relationships with relative tuber yield (R² = 0.82–0.99) across most cultivars, though curve shapes varied. Maximum yield was typically associated with NNI values of 0.84–1.31 and KNI values of 0.96–1.09.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and Implications</h3><div>The CNDC and CKDC models provide highly reliable, physiology-based tools for potato nutrient diagnosis. Specifically, recommended application rates are 140 kg N ha⁻¹ and 230 kg K ha⁻¹, enabling precision nutrient management and promoting sustainable potato production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 110129"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145005219","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}