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Agriculture
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Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation
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Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 5357

Editors

Dr. Vasileios Greveniotis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Patras, New Buildings, 30200 Mesolongi, Greece
Interests: plant breeding; quantitative genetics; crop improvement; genotype x environment interaction; agronomy; sustainability; stability; forage and grain crops; low input and organic farming.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Constantinos Ipsilandis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Regional Administration of Crete, 71201 Heraklion, Greece
Interests: cropping systems; yield stability; high yield performance; G x E interaction; multi-environment experimentation; variability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ensuring global food security in the face of increasing climate change and population growth necessitates a dual focus on crop yield stability and crop quality. While high average yields are crucial, the ability of crops to consistently perform across diverse environmental conditions (yield stability) and provide adequate nutritional value is equally important. This Special Issue will explore the latest research on analyzing crop yield stability in conjunction with comprehensive quality evaluations.

Genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions complicate breeding efforts, making it challenging to identify superior cultivars. Studies focused solely on yield may overlook critical variations in nutritional composition, processing attributes, and overall food value. This Special Issue will bridge this gap by examining how different genotypes and cultivation systems influence both the consistency of yield and the factors that determine crop quality.

We invite submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Novel methodologies for assessing both yield stability and quality traits;
  • Genetic and genomic approaches to improve both yield stability and nutritional quality;
  • The impact of diverse environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic) on yield stability and quality parameters;
  • Evaluation of crop quality under varying cultivation systems and management practices;
  • Breeding strategies for developing cultivars with enhanced yield stability and superior quality;
  • The role of pre- and post-harvest factors on final crop quality;
  • Case studies on specific crops, analyzing the relationship between yield stability and quality;
  • The application of advanced technologies (e.g., remote sensing, precision agriculture) in evaluating yield stability and quality;
  • The economic implications of improving both yield stability and quality for farmers and consumers.

By integrating research on yield stability and quality, this Special Issue will contribute to developing more resilient, nutritious, and sustainable crop production systems.

Dr. Vasileios Greveniotis
Dr. Constantinos Ipsilandis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • novel technologies
  • conventional plant breeding
  • molecular marker-assisted breeding
  • yield stability
  • high yield performance
  • breeding for quality
  • abiotic stress
  • biotic stress
  • phenotyping
  • genotyping
  • cultivation techniques
  • crop production
  • quantitative genetics
  • agronomic factors
  • crop improvement
  • precision agriculture

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 5265 KB  
Article
Compensating Yield Losses Caused by Long-Term Winter Wheat Monoculture Through Crop Protection and Variety Selection
by Arkadiusz Stępień
Agriculture 2026, 16(16), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16161692 - 7 Aug 2026
Abstract
Long-term winter wheat monoculture leads to the deterioration of plant physiological performance and reduced productivity; however, the effectiveness of measures aimed at mitigating these adverse effects has not yet been comprehensively evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of [...] Read more.
Long-term winter wheat monoculture leads to the deterioration of plant physiological performance and reduced productivity; however, the effectiveness of measures aimed at mitigating these adverse effects has not yet been comprehensively evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of crop sequence, crop protection intensity, and variety selection on the plant physiological parameters, grain yield, technological grain quality, and mineral composition of winter wheat grain, as well as to determine the extent to which yield losses caused by long-term monoculture can be compensated. The study was conducted during three growing seasons (2022/2023–2024/2025) in a long-term field experiment established in 1967 in Bałcyny, Poland, using a three-factor design with three replications, including two crop sequence systems, three crop protection levels, and two winter wheat varieties. Winter wheat grown in monoculture showed significantly lower leaf greenness index values and grain yield (by 41.4%; p < 0.05) compared with crop rotation. In contrast, monoculture significantly increased grain protein content (by 5.8%), gluten content (by 6.6%), Zeleny sedimentation index (by 20.8%), and the concentrations of nitrogen and zinc in grain (p < 0.05). Crop protection significantly enhanced grain yield; however, it did not completely eliminate the negative effects of long-term monoculture. The variety Revolver produced significantly higher grain yield and leaf greenness index values than Emil, whereas Emil produced grain with significantly higher protein, gluten, and nitrogen contents. The Monoculture Compensation Efficiency (MCE) index showed that crop protection practices enabled the recovery of 63.8–76.2% of yield losses caused by long-term monoculture. The results indicate that integrated crop protection can only partially mitigate the adverse effects of continuous monoculture and cannot replace the benefits associated with the implementation of a proper crop rotation system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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21 pages, 1445 KB  
Article
The Effects of Genotype Earliness and Harvest Timing on Yield and Quality of Multi-Harvest Tef Under Mediterranean Conditions
by Philip Wagali, Chris Sabastian, Shiran Ben-Zeev, Yehoshua Saranga and Sameer J. Mabjeesh
Agriculture 2026, 16(13), 1463; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16131463 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 492
Abstract
Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a multi-harvest annual cereal crop with outstanding fodder quality. Our overall goal was to evaluate tef as a multi-harvest summer fodder crop for Israeli dairy cows, and the objective of the study was to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a multi-harvest annual cereal crop with outstanding fodder quality. Our overall goal was to evaluate tef as a multi-harvest summer fodder crop for Israeli dairy cows, and the objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of genotype earliness and harvest regimes on tef forage yield and quality. We report on the effects of genotype earliness and harvest timing on tef forage yield and quality for twelve genotypes (six early and six late) during two experimental years, each at different locations (hereafter environment 1-Revadim and 2-Shiller) in Central Israel. Under environment 1, forage yield was significantly greater at the grain-filling stage than at the heading stage (2100 vs. 1700 g DM/m2, significant). However, cell wall carbohydrates and crude protein content were higher at heading than at the grain-filling stage (14% vs. 11%). Early-heading genotypes yielded more than late-heading at the grain-filling stage (2300 vs. 1800 g DM/m2, significant). In contrast, under environment 2, late-heading genotypes yielded more than early-heading ones (2400 vs. 1400 g DM/m2, significant). The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) were higher at heading than at the grain-filling stage (75 vs. 53%, significant and 71 vs. 47%, significant, respectively). Late-heading genotypes had more IVDMD and IVNDFD than early-heading genotypes (54 vs. 52% and 48 vs. 46%, respectively). Under Mediterranean conditions, harvesting at heading maximizes crude protein, IVDMD, and IVNDFD, whereas harvesting at the grain-filling stage maximizes yield. All genotypes maintained high quality with low lignin, which is desirable for livestock forage. Our findings imply that tef is a high-quality multi-harvest summer crop, which could be a potential alternative fodder crop for Israeli dairy cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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21 pages, 1733 KB  
Article
Evaluation of High-Yield Potential, Yield Stability, and Adaptability of Different Varieties Under Long-Term Environmental Conditions
by Shixiao Fang, Yilei Long, Yin Wang, Xiutong Wu, Teng Liu, Shen Jin, Yinan Yang, Shengwu Chen and Xiantao Ai
Agriculture 2026, 16(11), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16111247 - 5 Jun 2026
Viewed by 422
Abstract
To identify upland cotton varieties with consistently high yields and stable performance across variable growing seasons in Xinjiang, we evaluated yield data for 11 varieties over 4 consecutive years (2022–2025). Among the tested varieties, 02 achieved the highest average yield (10.85 kg per [...] Read more.
To identify upland cotton varieties with consistently high yields and stable performance across variable growing seasons in Xinjiang, we evaluated yield data for 11 varieties over 4 consecutive years (2022–2025). Among the tested varieties, 02 achieved the highest average yield (10.85 kg per plot). Variety ZMBH1939 showed the most stable yield across years (coefficient of variation = 0.1557). Analysis of variance showed that variety, year, and their interaction significantly affected yield (p < 0.01 for all). Further evaluation using two complementary multi-environment trial models (AMMI and GGE) revealed consistent findings: 02 and FC190 were high-yielding but moderately stable; W21 and TH02 showed moderate yield with good stability; and XLM108 combined high yield potential with excellent stability. The control variety Z49 (CK) exhibited good stability but only moderate yield. Among the four trial years, 2023 was the most representative and discriminatory environment, making it ideal for screening superior varieties. Exploratory analysis of climatic covariates suggested that accumulated temperature (≥10 °C) may be associated with interannual yield variation (R2 = 0.464), and low precipitation was linked to stronger environmental discrimination. However, given the limited number of environments (n = 4), these findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory. This study provides a framework for understanding climate-driven yield variation in regional cotton trials and identifies promising germplasm (notably XLM108 and 02) for further breeding and promotion. Validation in multi-location or longer-term trials is required before drawing definitive conclusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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25 pages, 37224 KB  
Article
Effects of Potassium Management on Yield Formation and Nutrient Utilization in Japonica Rice Cultivars with Contrasting Nitrogen Efficiency Under a Simplified Nitrogen Regime
by Liqiang Chen, Haoyang Jia, Yunfei Xu, Jiajun Xu, Yuqi Liu, Xiao Liang and Wenzhong Zhang
Agriculture 2026, 16(11), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16111242 - 4 Jun 2026
Viewed by 485
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) co-management is critical for optimizing grain yield in rice. However, the interactive effects of N supply and K application timing on cultivars with contrasting N efficiencies remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a two-year field experiment (2020 and [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) co-management is critical for optimizing grain yield in rice. However, the interactive effects of N supply and K application timing on cultivars with contrasting N efficiencies remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a two-year field experiment (2020 and 2021) using two japonica rice cultivars, Shennong 265 (SN265) and Meifengdao 61 (MFD61), under three N rates (180, 225, and 270 kg ha−1) and three K application ratios (basal: panicle = 3:7, 5:5, and 7:3). SN265 exhibited a 20.31% higher average grain yield than MFD61, primarily attributable to increased crop growth rates during the tillering–booting (14.08%) and grain-filling–maturity phases (31.88%). Under moderate N supply (N180 and N225), increasing the proportion of basal K application (K7:3) consistently improved dry matter accumulation, enzyme activity, and grain yield in both cultivars. However, under high-N conditions (N270), excessive early-season K application reduced grain yield in MFD61 by 7.69%. For SN265, further yield improvement required an enhanced net assimilation rate during the tillering–booting phase. Although this study was conducted at a single site with only two cultivars, it provides a physiological and agronomic framework for cultivar-specific N–K co-management strategies to improve grain yield and nutrient use efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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14 pages, 1335 KB  
Article
Optimizing Defoliant Application Timing to Improve Boll Opening, Fiber Quality, and Yield in Summer-Sown Short-Season Cotton in Hunan, China
by Zhangshu Xie, Zhiling Rong, Yeling Qin, Aiyu Liu and Qiming Wang
Agriculture 2026, 16(3), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16030388 - 6 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 607
Abstract
The optimal timing of chemical defoliation is a critical bottleneck in stabilizing yield and fiber quality for short-season cotton, particularly under the intensifying pressure of mechanized global production. Current practices rely heavily on population-level boll opening rates, often overlooking the physiological maturity of [...] Read more.
The optimal timing of chemical defoliation is a critical bottleneck in stabilizing yield and fiber quality for short-season cotton, particularly under the intensifying pressure of mechanized global production. Current practices rely heavily on population-level boll opening rates, often overlooking the physiological maturity of late-season bolls. Here, we investigate the trade-offs between late-boll development and defoliation-induced senescence in short-season summer cotton. Our results demonstrate that defoliation timing based on a specific heat-unit or temporal threshold after flowering—rather than simple visual indicators—is essential for maximizing biological potential. We identified a critical physiological window (43 days post-anthesis) that synergistically optimizes boll weight, seed cotton yield, and fiber micronaire. Beyond this window, delayed defoliation leads to excessive fiber coarsening and reduced spinnability, while earlier application terminates dry matter accumulation prematurely, incurring significant yield penalties. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for synchronizing reproductive maturation with mechanical harvesting requirements. By establishing a precision defoliation framework, this study offers a scalable strategy to enhance the economic sustainability and resource-use efficiency of short-season cotton systems in double-cropping regions globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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22 pages, 3088 KB  
Article
Stability of Forage Quality Traits in Artificial Meadows Across Greek Environments
by Vasileios Greveniotis, Elisavet Bouloumpasi, Adriana Skendi, Athanasios Korkovelos, Dimitrios Kantas and Constantinos G. Ipsilandis
Agriculture 2025, 15(24), 2595; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242595 - 15 Dec 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 879
Abstract
Ensuring high-quality forage under Mediterranean conditions requires careful evaluation of genetic resources. Two perennial forage species, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), were evaluated to determine the stability and broad-sense heritability of major forage quality traits across [...] Read more.
Ensuring high-quality forage under Mediterranean conditions requires careful evaluation of genetic resources. Two perennial forage species, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), were evaluated to determine the stability and broad-sense heritability of major forage quality traits across Greek environments. The objective was to identify stable, heritable traits contributing to consistent forage quality under climatic variability. Measured traits included crude protein (CP%), crude fiber (CF%), ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), cellulose, hemicellulose, acid detergent lignin (ADL), digestible dry matter (DDM%), dry matter intake (DMI%), and relative feed value (RFV). Significant genotype × environment (G × E) interactions were observed for most traits, highlighting the importance of multi-environment testing, except for RFV in cocksfoot, which was non-significant. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) helped clarify how these traits covary across environments. The traits Crude Protein, Ash Content, and ADL (on PC1) are largely independent of the traits Cellulose and Hemicellulose (on PC2) in the case of cocksfoot. The pattern of loadings in the case of Tall fescue revealed that hemicellulose represents a completely separate dimension of variation, which is uncorrelated to the rest of the traits that form a unified, highly correlated group. In both cases, the first two PCs explained over 82% of the total variance, separating genotypes and environments. By integrating stability (SI) and heritability (H2) results, Cock2D and T2fes were identified as the most stable and high-performing genotypes across environments. These findings could support breeding strategies for developing resilient forage cultivars with consistent quality and adaptability to Mediterranean environments, thereby enhancing sustainable livestock production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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Review

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27 pages, 1417 KB  
Review
From Germplasm to Cup: A Comprehensive Review of the Genetic, Environmental, and Postharvest Determinants of Coffee Quality and Their Interactions
by Gui-Bing Yang, Qing-Jing Cen, Zhen-Jun Bin, Zu-Zheng Lu, Jian-Feng Qin, Usman Rasheed and Gan-Lin Chen
Agriculture 2026, 16(7), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16070739 - 27 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1494
Abstract
Premium coffee depends on high-quality beans, influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and postharvest factors. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying coffee bean quality, with an emphasis on the genetic differences between Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, as well as the integrated [...] Read more.
Premium coffee depends on high-quality beans, influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and postharvest factors. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying coffee bean quality, with an emphasis on the genetic differences between Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, as well as the integrated roles of environmental conditions, agronomic practices, including nutrient and shade management, and postharvest processing technologies. The allotetraploid genome of C. arabica is influenced by homoeologous exchanges and subgenome-biased expression (such as decreased DXMT activity that reduces caffeine), which contribute to its complex flavor profile. Key lipid metabolism genes, particularly FADS2, play a critical role in regulating lipid metabolism. The effects of altitude (1600–2000 m) and shade influence various metabolic pathways. Cooler temperatures promote sugar accumulation, while excessive shading hinders carbon assimilation and the development of flavor precursors. Postharvest processing significantly influences flavor, where microbial or enzymatic treatments enhance sensory attributes. In addition, methods like natural, washed, or honey processing modulate various nonvolatile compounds, impacting lipid emulsification and aroma retention. Multi-omics analyses suggest that MYB proteins play a key role in regulating pathways involved in caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and terpenes. Effective hermetic packaging prevents oxidation, thereby preserving freshness. Overall, superior coffee quality stems from synergistic interactions across genetic, ecological, agronomic, and processing factors, highlighting the need for the development of an integrated strategy to support the sustainable production of premium coffee. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Crop Yield Stability and Quality Evaluation)
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