European Journal of Agronomy最新文献

{"title":"A comprehensive comparative analysis of ETc prediction methods: Traditional formulations, crop models, machine learning, and coupled optimization pathways","authors":"Di Hao ,&nbsp;Jingjing Li ,&nbsp;Wengang Zheng ,&nbsp;Chunjiang Zhao ,&nbsp;Liping Chen ,&nbsp;Lili Zhangzhong","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate quantification of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is crucial for effective agricultural water management and climate-adaptive production. Despite advancements in estimation methods—from simplified models to data-driven technologies—achieving high-precision estimations remains a significant challenge. This study systematically evaluated eight ETc estimation methods, including the FAO dual crop coefficient method, the AquaCrop model, three machine learning models, and three coupled models, to assess the differences in prediction accuracy and robustness across various modeling approaches. Additionally, a multi-source coupled modeling framework integrating residual learning and physical constraints was proposed to address the limitations of physical models, which suffer from structural bias, and the high data dependency and training complexity of data-driven models. The results showed that the dual crop coefficient method performed less accurately than the mechanistically interpretable AquaCrop model (R² = 0.901), primarily due to its simplified representation of the crop-soil system dynamics. While the pure data-driven CNN-LSTM model approximated the AquaCrop model’s performance when sufficient data was available (R² = 0.893), its generalization ability deteriorated significantly with limited data (R² dropped to 0.640), highlighting its dependence on large datasets. In contrast, the coupled models, which incorporated physical priors and residual learning, leveraged physical constraints to reduce the mapping space required for deep learning fitting. This approach reduced reliance on large training datasets and decreased training cycles. By combining the structural knowledge of crop models with the nonlinear capabilities of machine learning at both the feature and output levels, the accuracy and robustness of the models were significantly improved. Notably, the connected embedded coupling model (CECM) achieved the best performance (R² = 0.924). This study demonstrates that synergistic modeling of physical mechanisms and data-driven approaches provides an ETc estimation pathway that balances interpretability with high predictive accuracy, offering valuable support for precision irrigation and agricultural water resource management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128013"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014598","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":"Urease dynamics and soil microbiota in a vineyard subjected to 12 years of nitrogen fertilization","authors":"Natália Moreira Palermo ,&nbsp;Paola Daiane Welter ,&nbsp;Carina Marchezan ,&nbsp;Paulo Ademar Avelar Ferreira ,&nbsp;Arthur Gonçalves Gulartt ,&nbsp;Bruna Daltrozo ,&nbsp;Andrieli Lunardi Delevati ,&nbsp;Roberta Lago Giovelli ,&nbsp;Rafael Schumacher ,&nbsp;Gustavo Brunetto","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change and changing consumption patterns have increased demands for more sustainable viticulture. Nitrogen (N) fertilization, is essential to meet grapevine nutritional requirements. However, long-term applications may alter soil biological functioning, particularly under rainfed conditions. Urease (UR) activity and soil microbial biomass (SMB) are sensitive indicators of soil health, yet information on their long-term response to mineral N fertilization and their relationship with grape productivity and must quality remains limited. This study evaluated the relationships between UR, SMB, vine productivity, and must quality in a sandy soil under rainfed vineyard conditions with a 12-year history of N fertilization. Increasing N rates (0, 40, and 80 kg N ha-¹ year-¹) were applied annually, and soil sampling was performed during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 harvests in the vineyard row and inter-row at three phenological stages (flowering, veraison and post-harvest). Urease activity was significantly affected by the interaction between N dose and phenological stage, decreasing at higher N rates and showing the highest values at flowering, particularly in the vineyard row. In contrast, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P showed positive responses to N fertilization, especially under higher rainfall conditions, indicating a strong interaction between N availability and climatic factors. Nitrogen doses did not result in significant differences in grape yield or must quality. However, significant correlations were observed between UR and SMB with soil pH, organic C, vine productivity, and must composition, including total soluble solids and organic acids. Overall, long-term N fertilization promoted contrasting soil biological responses, reducing urease activity while increasing soil microbial biomass. Among the evaluated phenological stages, flowering was the most informative period for capturing relationships between soil biological indicators, soil chemical properties, and grape production and must quality in rainfed vineyard systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128014"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023837","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":"Long-term cultivation of indica–japonica hybrid rice reshapes the sustainability of rice systems by simultaneously enhancing yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and soil health","authors":"Jinjia Gan ,&nbsp;Xinyue Xu ,&nbsp;Sheng Tang ,&nbsp;Kefeng Han ,&nbsp;Tao Sun ,&nbsp;Jinzhao Ma ,&nbsp;Xiangde Yang ,&nbsp;Xiu Liu ,&nbsp;Haoran Fu ,&nbsp;Zhihao Pang ,&nbsp;Lingli Mao ,&nbsp;Lianghuan Wu ,&nbsp;Qingxu Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2025.127973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2025.127973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Indica–japonica</em> hybrid rice (IJHR) integrates the superior traits of <em>indica</em> rice and <em>japonica</em> rice (JR), with advantages in yield, Nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE), and root carbon (C) input. To assess its sustainability, a 9-year field experiment was conducted comparing the IJHR and JR under equivalent N applications. IJHR achieved higher grain yield and NUE and lower apparent N surplus than did JR. Compared with JR, IJHR increased soil organic matter (SOM) by 15.8 %, dissolved organic C and N by 37.0 % and 66.0 %, respectively, and microbial biomass C by 26.8 %. The activities of C- and N-cycling enzymes increased by up to 106 %. These enhancements contributed to a 129.8 % improvement in the soil quality index (SQI) compared to that of the JR. Random forest analysis identified aboveground biomass, NUE, and dissolved organic C as the main yield drivers. SQI improvements were attributed mainly to SOM accumulation and root-derived C inputs, reinforced by enzyme-mediated C and N cycling. A higher SQI further enhanced the yield. Partial least squares path modeling demonstrated that IJHR achieves a higher yield primarily through an increase in the number of spikelets per panicle, mediated by root-driven improvements in soil quality. NUE enhancement was driven mainly by greater plant N uptake. These findings provide a process-based framework linking root traits, soil biochemical functioning, yield formation and NUE in rice systems. Here, we highlight the dual benefits of IJHR in boosting grain production and soil quality, providing a promising pathway for reconciling food security and sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 127973"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145897841","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":"Sustained reductions in methane emissions and global warming potential through periodic liming in a double-cropped rice system: A 4-year field experiment","authors":"Ping Liao ,&nbsp;Lei Liu ,&nbsp;Jinsong Liu ,&nbsp;Xiangcheng Zhu ,&nbsp;Jie Liu ,&nbsp;Jin Chen ,&nbsp;Yanni Sun ,&nbsp;Yu Jiang ,&nbsp;Shan Huang ,&nbsp;Yongjun Zeng ,&nbsp;Kees Jan van Groenigen","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lime application has been shown to reduce methane (CH₄) emissions, thereby lowering the global warming potential (GWP) in acidic rice fields. However, most existing evidence comes from short-term experiments, and the longevity of this effect remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a 4-year field experiment in a double-cropped rice system to determine the responses of CH₄ and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, the sequestration of soil organic carbon (C), and grain yield to liming with and without residue return in the second lime application cycle. We also conducted residue decomposition experiments and functional gene analyses to identify the mechanisms underlying liming effects. Compared to unlimed treatments, liming reduced CH₄ emissions by an average of 20.6 % over the entire lime application cycle, with a stronger reduction under residue return (-23.3 %) than residue removal (-14.9 %). The reduction in CH₄ emissions under liming was 32.1 % in 2019, 19.9 % in 2020, and 21.1 % in 2021, with no significant effect in 2022. In contrast, liming increased N₂O emissions by 20.6 % relative to unlimed treatments. Liming improved rice yield (+5.2 %) but had no significant effect on soil organic C stocks. As a result, applying lime lowered both the net GWP (-24.8 %) and greenhouse gas intensity (-28.5 %) of the cropping system. Mechanistically, liming promoted residue decomposition, reduced <em>mcrA</em> gene abundance (linked to CH₄ production) and enhanced <em>pmoA</em> gene abundance (linked to CH₄ oxidation). Liming promoted nitrification and denitrification through increasing the abundance of <em>amoA-AOB</em> and <em>nirS</em> genes. Taken together, our findings indicate that lime application can persistently raise grain yield and reduce CH₄ emissions and the net GWP in a double-cropped rice system, albeit N₂O emissions were increased. In addition, our data suggests that regular lime additions are required to maintain the benefits of this soil amendment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128037"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146160806","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":"Improved photosynthesis from leaf to canopy scale drives yield progress in super hybrid rice","authors":"Jun Deng ,&nbsp;Ke Liu ,&nbsp;Nina Tian ,&nbsp;Tao Su ,&nbsp;Xiangqian Feng ,&nbsp;Xiaohai Tian ,&nbsp;Zhaoqiang Jin ,&nbsp;Shijie Shi ,&nbsp;Liying Huang ,&nbsp;Yunbo Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128031","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128031","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Super hybrid rice (SHR) plays a crucial role in achieving global food security by boosting grain yields. However, the physiological mechanisms underpinning yield gains—particularly from the leaf to canopy scale—under different nitrogen (N) regimes remain insufficiently understood. This study explores the physiological drivers of yield enhancement by examining biomass production, photosynthetic characteristics, radiation use efficiency (RUE), and yield components across varying nitrogen application rates. A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) assessed three representative SHR varieties—Liangyoupeijiu (LYPJ), Y-liangyou 1 (YLY1), and Y-liangyou 900 (YLY900)—released between 1999 and 2015, under four N treatments (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg N ha⁻¹). Among them, YLY900 achieved the highest average grain yield (9.78 Mg ha⁻¹), which was 9.1 % higher than that of LYPJ and YLY1, primarily owing to a 21.2 % increase in spikelets per panicle and a 12.6 % increase in total biomass. Its yield advantage was associated with enhanced RUE (2.91 g MJ⁻¹), 12.8 % higher than that of LYPJ, owing to sustained photosynthetic capacity under high N input. Unlike earlier varieties that depended mainly on intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), YLY900 exhibited superior RUE through higher net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and photochemical quenching, together with lower non-photochemical quenching. Elevated Rubisco and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities supported efficient carbon assimilation. Overall, recent SHR breeding advances indicate a shift from maximizing light interception to enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and RUE, providing a physiological basis for future breeding and N management strategies aimed at sustainable yield improvement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128031"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146161062","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":"Soil mulching enhanced maize canopy ammonia flux in contrast mitigating field ammonia emission","authors":"Shenqiang Lv ,&nbsp;Ting Yang ,&nbsp;Jia Li ,&nbsp;Zeyu Yang ,&nbsp;Huitong Li ,&nbsp;Linquan Wang ,&nbsp;Shenzhong Tian ,&nbsp;Ahmed I. Abdo","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A systematic elucidation of soil ammonia (NH₃) volatilization (SAV), canopy NH₃ flux (CAF), field NH₃ emission (FAE), and their underlying drivers is imperative for evaluating NH₃ pollution mitigation strategies and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Currently, the role of the maize canopy in NH₃ emission and the contributions of field factors to NH₃ emission remain inadequately understood. A consecutive field experiment was conducted over a 3-year period from 2019 to 2021 with a split-plot design. The experiment comprised five tillage treatments (conventional tillage without mulch (CT), ridge-furrow tillage without mulch (RT), plastic film mulch (PM), ridge-furrow cultivation with plastic film mulch on the ridge (RTPM), and straw mulching (SM)) and two N application rates (0 kg N ha^–1 and 225 kg N ha^–1). The results demonstrated that the CAF was positive, which meant that the maize canopy acted as an NH₃ source. The cumulative SAV, CAF, and FAE amounted to 4.21–10.12 kg N ha^–1, 1.27–4.94 kg N ha^–1 and 6.07–13.26 kg N ha^–1, respectively. The N fertilizer NH₃ loss rate was 1.13 %–2.41 %. Soil mulching practices (PM, RTPM, and SM) resulted in a 5.3 %–61.1 % increase in CAF, but markedly reduced SAV, FAE, and the N fertilizer NH₃ loss rate by 15.4 %–31.9 %, 9.5 %–11.7 %, and 0.94 %-1.04 %, respectively, compared to those of CT. Conversely, RT exhibited negligible effects on these parameters. Meteorological variables, including the air temperature and solar radiation exhibited positive correlations with the CAF. A mechanistic analysis identified soluble protein (SP, primary regulator) and the NH₃ compensation point (ACP) as direct positive regulators of the CAF, with canopy NH₄⁺ concentration exerting indirect positive effects. Conversely, glycolate oxidase (GO) and glutamine synthetase (GS) activities directly suppressed CAF. Consequently, although it promoted the CAF, soil mulching depressed maize field NH₃ emission and N fertilizer NH₃ loss rate. Hence, soil mulching emerges as an effective strategy for mitigating non-point source pollution risks while enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128002"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979829","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":"Decadal rice cultivation reconfigured saline-alkali paddy nitrogen cycling through microbial-DNRA dominance and soil amelioration synergy","authors":"Yunshan Meng ,&nbsp;Panpan Gao ,&nbsp;Jiaxin Hu ,&nbsp;Haoge Liang ,&nbsp;Tairan Zhou ,&nbsp;Xueqin Ren ,&nbsp;Haojie Feng ,&nbsp;Shuwen Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Long-term rice cultivation shows potential in alleviating soil salinization, yet the mechanistic links between sustained cultivation and optimized nitrogen cycling in saline-alkali paddies remain unclear. Here, we integrated a field chronosequence experiment (0–20 years) with a global meta-analysis of saline-alkali agroecosystems to elucidate the spatiotemporal drivers of soil nitrogen dynamics. Field data revealed decadal organic inputs elevated total nitrogen (TN) by 80.77 % (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01), while meta-regression confirmed that TN and available nitrogen (AN) exhibited linear accumulation over decades of rice cultivation. Microbial communities exhibited directional succession patterns, with phylogenetic assembly strongly correlated to nitrogen stoichiometry and <em>narGH</em>/<em>nirS</em>/<em>nirB</em>/<em>nxrAB</em> gene abundance. Metagenomic reconstruction and meta-network analysis convergently identified microstructure optimization and substrate sufficiency as key factors associated with soil dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), denitrification, and complete ammonia oxidation processes. Crucially, inferred convergence at 10 years of cultivation marked the critical juncture where salinization alleviation converged with microbial modularity to maximize nitrogen use efficiency. This work pioneers a soil-microbe-metabolic coevolution framework validated by field-meta synergy, establishing operational chronosequence thresholds for sustainable saline-alkali paddy management. By coupling mechanistic experiments with global meta-analytical evidence, our work advances predictive understanding of nutrient-cycling recovery in marginal lands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128025"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146134149","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":"Grassland vulnerability to climate change varies by region and season through productivity-stability trade-offs","authors":"Essomandan Urbain Kokah ,&nbsp;Christophe Lacroix ,&nbsp;Xavier Fettweis ,&nbsp;David Knoden ,&nbsp;Benjamin Dumont ,&nbsp;Jérôme Bindelle","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the vulnerability of permanent grasslands to climate change is essential for sustaining forage production and other ecosystem services. Potential adaptation levers include adjustments in management strategies and the selection of plant functional types (PFTs). This study quantifies changes in biomass yield and interannual stability of temperate permanent grasslands under future climate scenarios, using Gras-Sim, a process-based model integrating climate, soil management, and PFT composition. Simulations were performed for contrasting agricultural regions at +2 °C, +3 °C, and +4 °C warming levels, using downscaled CMIP6 projections (CMCC, MIR, MPI) with corresponding CO₂ trajectories. Significant interactions between region, climate model, and PFT (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) revealed context-dependent responses. In high-altitude regions such as the High Ardennes, annual yields increased by up to 2.52 t DM ha⁻¹ compared to the historical baseline (1981–2010). Across all scenarios, PFT B (e.g. <em>Dactylis glomerata</em>) exhibited significantly higher yields, while PFT A (e.g. <em>Lolium perenne</em>) showed significantly higher interannual stability, confirming a productivity-stability trade-off. Seasonal shifts were more pronounced under MIR + 4 °C, with spring yields increasing by 4.5 t DM ha⁻¹ and summer yields decreasing by 2.4 t DM ha⁻¹ relative to historical baselines (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). The frequency of pixel-years without a summer cut increased up to 14 % under MIR at + 4 °C, highlighting an emergent signal of production collapse during peak drought. These results support the need for adaptation strategies that combine functional complementarity, flexible management, and spatially explicit simulation tools to sustain grassland productivity and stability under climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128032"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146152634","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":"Challenges and opportunities in protein crop production: Finnish farmers’ perspectives on legumes and oilseeds","authors":"Kiflemariam Y. Belachew ,&nbsp;Jaakko A.O. Haarala ,&nbsp;Casimir Schauman ,&nbsp;Frederick L. Stoddard","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cultivation of grain legumes and oilseeds in Finland is limited, despite their ecological benefits and potential for enhancing protein security. While these crops provide essential protein and ecosystem services through nitrogen fixation, farmers are hesitant to grow them due to perceived high risks and low profitability, leading to a heavy reliance on imported soybeans for livestock feed: 70 % of the EU's supply and 85 % in Finland. Hence, a survey was conducted in 2018 among 14,000 Finnish farmers, with 503 respondents. Over 80 % felt knowledgeable about producing legumes and oilseeds and recognized the importance of protein self-sufficiency. However, farmers expressed a need for more specific technical information on cultivation and the use of domestic protein crops as feed. Interest in protein crops was particularly strong among organic farmers, who value legumes for their benefits as bio-fertilizers and break-crops. Additionally, factors such as agricultural policies, subsidies, and contract agreements significantly influenced farmers' willingness to produce protein crops. Domestic protein crops in Finland were perceived as high-risk and costly. To improve cultivation reliability and achieve long-term self-sufficiency in plant protein, effective agricultural policies, the development of earlier and winter-hardy cultivars, and a national market network among producers, processors, and livestock farmers are essential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128010"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014599","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":"Decoupling of carbon pump and diversity in microbes under global agricultural management","authors":"Changkun Yang ,&nbsp;Bing Liu ,&nbsp;Arash Malekian ,&nbsp;Weihao Sun ,&nbsp;Bin Wang ,&nbsp;Xiao Wang ,&nbsp;Wen Li ,&nbsp;Pouyan Dehghan Rahimabadi ,&nbsp;Maliheh Behrang Manesh","doi":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eja.2026.128015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microbial carbon metabolism largely determines whether plant-derived carbon is retained in soils or lost as carbon dioxide. In croplands, integrated management across nutrient supply, tillage, cropping, and irrigation supports production and strongly reshapes microbial-derived carbon. However, it remains unclear how integrated management reshapes microbial carbon anabolism processes at the global scale. This study quantified management-driven changes in microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and microbial necromass carbon (MNC) using a global meta-analysis, and then applied random-forest modeling, variance partitioning, and path analysis to identify the key predictors and pathways. Results indicate that integrated management enhances CUE and MNC by 3.85 % and 9.74 %, respectively. Nitrogen management increased both CUE and MNC (11.87 % and 15.97 %, respectively), while organic agriculture boosted CUE (29.71 %), and both straw return and irrigation increased MNC (21.13 % and 14.90 %, respectively). In contrast, tillage inhibited microbial anabolism. Temperature had the strongest influence on CUE, while the duration of practice mainly affected MNC, with effects weakening by 1.37 % after five years. Habitat conditions, such as soil C/N and pH, were also key constraints. Mediation analyses indicated that CUE was primarily regulated by microbial respiration and enzyme activity (23.37 % variance), whereas microbial biomass and community structure dominated MNC variation (27.57 %). Further analysis revealed a decoupling between microbial carbon anabolism and diversity under management. Taken together, integrating nutrient and organic inputs with reduced disturbance, while accounting for soil factors such as temperature, C/N, and pH, can optimize microbial metabolism, thereby enhancing carbon sequestration and agroecosystems productivity, and promoting sustainable development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51045,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agronomy","volume":"175 ","pages":"Article 128015"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014838","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}