Investigation and insights into the technical strategies for reducing agrochemical inputs in rice farming to enhance agroecosystem resilience and food safety, A case study in China

The growing demand for cereal production has led to increasing agrochemical inputs; therefore, evaluation and adjustment of current practices are required to maintain and improve sustainable cropping systems. A Four-years study of multiple practices with reduced agrochemical application for rice farming was conducted and investigated in southern China to assess impacts on food safety and ecological resilience. A 30 % reduction in total pesticide use resulted in a 20 % decrease in ecological risk to earthworms, primarily due to reduced application of key pesticides: pymetrozine, pretilachlor, difenoconazole, propiconazole, thifluzamide, tricyclazole, and hexaconazole. A 22 % reduction in total mineral fertilizer use had a slight impact on soil fertility; however, certain practices involving partial replacement of chemical fertilizers with organic manure enhanced soil enzyme activity. This improvement was also linked to changes in the soil bacterial community, particularly the enrichment of Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria, which contributed to enhanced soil fertility. Additionally, reduction in agrochemical application was accompanied by a declining trend in heavy metal accumulation; however, exposure risks of arsenic and Cd still require consideration. Our study demonstrates that progressive reduction of agrochemical inputs can mitigate pollutant risks and reactivate soil self-restoration processes, thereby enabling the design of adaptable sustainable cropping systems with optimized ecological trade-offs.