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Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield...
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Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2023) | Viewed by 11500

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tie Cai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: crop cultivation techniques; conservation tillage; crop growth and development; crop yield; resource use efficiency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid growth of the population, it is estimated that the global population will exceed 9 billion by 2050, and the food demand will increase by at least 50%. Meanwhile, land and water resources are generally degraded. Therefore, increasing crop yield per unit area to promote total output and improving water use efficiency to reduce agricultural water consumption have a great impact on global food security and water security. Crop growth, yield formation and water use are significantly affected by agronomic measures. Hence, optimizing cropping systems and innovating water/fertilizer management measures can promote crop yields and efficient water use.

This Special Issue focuses on the “impact of cropping systems and nutrient management on crop yield and water use efficiency”, and the aim of this Special Issue is to collect studies on the effects of different cropping systems and water/fertilizer management on crop yields and water use efficiency, reveal the mechanisms of crop yield formation and efficient water use and explore the technical pathways to improve crop yields and water use efficiency. For this reason, we welcome highly interdisciplinary quality studies from disparate research fields including crop growth, farmland ecology and resource utilization. Original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Tie Cai
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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 monthly 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

  • tillage measures
  • straw incorporation
  • rainwater harvesting planting
  • irrigation management
  • nutrient management
  • crop yield
  • soil moisture dynamics
  • water use efficiency
  • resource use efficiency

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1865 KiB  
Article
Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer Selection Influences Water Use Efficiency in Drip-Irrigated Sweet Corn
by Arina Sukor, Yaling Qian and Jessica G. Davis
Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050923 - 22 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1786
Abstract
Organic farmers often rely on off-farm nitrogen (N) sources for mid-season N. Farmers can also produce cyano-fertilizer on-farm by growing N-fixing cyanobacteria (Anabaena spp.) in raceways and applying the cyanobacteria through irrigation systems. A two-year field study was conducted, and blood meal, [...] Read more.
Organic farmers often rely on off-farm nitrogen (N) sources for mid-season N. Farmers can also produce cyano-fertilizer on-farm by growing N-fixing cyanobacteria (Anabaena spp.) in raceways and applying the cyanobacteria through irrigation systems. A two-year field study was conducted, and blood meal, feather meal, fish emulsion, and cyano-fertilizer were evaluated to determine whether the water use efficiency (WUE) of sweet corn (Zea mays) was affected by fertilizer type. Fish emulsion and cyano-fertilizer were supplied in four split applications through drip irrigation, while the blood meal and feather meal were subsurface banded pre-plant. Leaf gas exchange measurements were taken during tasseling. The amounts of phytohormone and Fe applied in organic N fertilizers were correlated with field water use efficiency (fWUE), instantaneous water use efficiency (iWUE), and leaf gas exchange components of sweet corn. A positive relationship was observed between the amount of salicylic acid (SA) applied with both iWUE (r = 0.71, p < 0.05) and fWUE (r = 0.68, p < 0.01). The amount of Fe applied was positively correlated with the leaf vapor pressure deficit (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and transpiration rate (r = 0.53, p < 0.01). Cyano-fertilizer had the highest yield and WUE, likely due to the high amount of SA applied, although fish emulsion was comparable in year one. These relationships require further exploration to elucidate the mechanisms impacting WUE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency)
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19 pages, 3506 KiB  
Article
Effects of Biochar Application on Soil Hydrothermal Environment, Carbon Emissions, and Crop Yield in Wheat Fields under Ridge–Furrow Rainwater Harvesting Planting Mode
by Xiangcheng Ma, Mengfan Lv, Fangyuan Huang, Peng Zhang, Tie Cai and Zhikuan Jia
Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101704 - 16 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1806
Abstract
The ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) planting mode is widely used in arid and semi-arid areas to solve the problems of agricultural water shortage and low productivity. However, the impact of film mulching on the stability of soil carbon pools makes this planting mode [...] Read more.
The ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) planting mode is widely used in arid and semi-arid areas to solve the problems of agricultural water shortage and low productivity. However, the impact of film mulching on the stability of soil carbon pools makes this planting mode vulnerable to the risk of increased soil carbon emissions and carbon pool losses. In order to clarify the relationship between soil carbon emissions and hydrothermal factors, as well as the regulatory effect of biochar application on soil carbon sequestration and reduced emissions under this planting mode, we set up a biochar application experiment. The effects of the biochar application (at 10 Mg ha−1 biochar and 20 Mg ha−1 biochar) on the soil water dynamics, soil temperature changes, CO2-C and CH4-C flux dynamics, grain yield, carbon emission efficiency, and the net ecosystem carbon budget in wheat fields under the RFRH planting mode were investigated, with no biochar application as the control. The results showed that applying biochar increased the soil water content, soil average temperature, cumulative CH4-C uptake, wheat grain yield, and carbon emission efficiency by 3.10–12.23%, 0.98–3.53%, 59.27–106.65%, 3.51–16.42%, and 18.52–61.17%, respectively; reduced the cumulative CO2-C emissions by 7.51–31.07%; and increased the net ecosystem carbon budget by 2.91 Mg C ha−1 to 6.06 Mg C ha−1. The results obtained by equation fitting showed that in wheat fields under RFRH, the CO2-C emission fluxes had negative and positive exponential relationships with the soil water content and soil temperature, respectively, while the CH4-C uptake fluxes had no significant correlation with the soil water content and had an inverse U-shaped quadratic function relationship with soil temperature. Overall, these results suggest that the application of biochar to wheat fields under RFRH can improve grain yield, farmland carbon emission efficiency, and the net ecosystem carbon budget, and change wheat fields from a carbon source to a carbon sink. These results can provide a theoretical basis and technical support for efficient, green, and sustainable production in farmland in arid and semi-arid areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency)
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17 pages, 3888 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Crop Sustainability Production Potential in Northwest China: Water Resources Perspective
by Xian Liu
Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101665 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1516
Abstract
From the perspective of water resources, revealing the potential of sustainable production of crops, clarifying the obstacles, and taking effective measures in advance can not only provide residents with long-term sufficient and nutritious food needs but also help to promote food security and [...] Read more.
From the perspective of water resources, revealing the potential of sustainable production of crops, clarifying the obstacles, and taking effective measures in advance can not only provide residents with long-term sufficient and nutritious food needs but also help to promote food security and economic benefits. Previous studies on this aspect have mainly focused on food crops and paid less attention to cash crops. This study takes Northwest China as the research area, which is a typical arid and semi-arid region with the most prominent contradiction between water supply and demand. We analyzed the changing characteristics of the available water resources, the production water footprint, and the total water footprint over time from the perspective of water resources, and systematically analyze the potential for sustainable development. The results showed that the regional water resource consumption in 2000–2020 showed a significant upward trend (p < 0.01). Similarly, the water resource load index also increased in this period, which increased by 164.3%. Water resources pressure increased from level III to level I, and there is no further development potential. At the same time, the proportion of available agricultural water resources was forcibly reduced by 9.0%. Fortunately, the crop production water footprint showed a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.01), with a decrease of 43.6%. Among them, grain and cash crops decreased by 45.4% and 49.5% respectively. Although the production water footprint is reduced, regional production is increasing to meet the increasing consumer demand. The crop water footprint showed a significant increase (p < 0.01), increasing by 13.4%. The available water resources of crops in the region are compressed, but the amount of water needed for crop production is increasing significantly, which poses challenges to the sustainable production of crops. According to the research results, the detailed recommended measures to promote sustainable regional crop production are put forward from the perspective of increasing the amount of regional water resources available, improving the utilization efficiency of blue and green water, and crop yield level, so as to better serve the global food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency)
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12 pages, 1796 KiB  
Article
Rotational Tillage: A Sustainable Management Technique for Wheat Production in the Semiarid Loess Plateau
by Rui Wang, Lijuan Ma, Wei Lv and Jun Li
Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1582; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101582 - 30 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1427
Abstract
Rotational tillage could be an advisable attempt to overcome some of the adverse impacts of mono conservation tillage, and it is necessary to assess the feasibility of adoption of rotational tillage for sustaining productivity in the long run. Data from an 8-year site-specific [...] Read more.
Rotational tillage could be an advisable attempt to overcome some of the adverse impacts of mono conservation tillage, and it is necessary to assess the feasibility of adoption of rotational tillage for sustaining productivity in the long run. Data from an 8-year site-specific field study conducted on the Loess Plateau were used to estimate the long-term effect of rotational tillage on soil water dynamic, soil properties and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. Three mono-tillage (No tilling (NT), subsoiling (ST) and ploughing (PT)) and three rotational tillage (NT/ST (NT and ST performed alternately), ST/PT, PT/NT) methods were applied after wheat harvest. Results showed the mean grain weight in the three rotational tillage treatments was 4.5% to 16.9% greater than in NT, and water use efficiency (WUE) was 5.0% to 18.8% greater over the 8 years. Rotational tillage could overcome the increased bulk density and nutrition stratification caused by NT and soil degradation due to PT. NT/ST was the best rotational tillage pattern with the highest grain yield and WUE, best soil property and relatively low mechanical cost in the present study. Here, we demonstrate that rotational tillage can improve wheat yield, WUE and soil properties compared with long-term no tilling and recommend using NT/ST as the optimal tillage pattern in similar ecological regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency)
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13 pages, 21573 KiB  
Article
Impact of Subsoiling on Cultivated Horizon Construction and Grain Yield of Winter Wheat in the North China Plain
by Xiaoman Qiang, Jingsheng Sun and Huifeng Ning
Agriculture 2022, 12(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020236 - 07 Feb 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3551
Abstract
In order to explore the effects of subsoiling tillage measures on the construction of soil cultivated horizon and the yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain, three tillage methods, including no tillage (PZ), rotary tillage (PR), and [...] Read more.
In order to explore the effects of subsoiling tillage measures on the construction of soil cultivated horizon and the yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain, three tillage methods, including no tillage (PZ), rotary tillage (PR), and subsoiling (PS), combined with straw returning measures were implemented in the winter wheat season in Xinxiang, Henan Province from 2016 to 2018. The effects of tillage measures on the improvement of cultivated land quality and the water saving and yield increase of winter wheat were investigated. The results showed that compared with no-tillage treatment, subsoiling significantly reduced soil bulk density by 8.88% and increased soil porosity by 13.04% in 20–40 cm soil layer; significantly reduced soil compaction by 56.96% in 0–40 cm soil layer; subsoiling combined with straw returning significantly increased soil organic carbon content in plough layer of winter wheat, whereas rotary tillage decreased soil organic carbon content. Subsoiling is more conducive to soil moisture movement to the deep layer after irrigation or rainfall, and the water consumption of subsoiling is the largest in the whole growth period of winter wheat. Subsoiling could better coordinate the relationship between water consumption and yield, which increased yield by 34.48–38.10% and water use efficiency by 19.57–21.96% compared with no-tillage treatment, respectively. Therefore, subsoiling before sowing combined with straw returning was beneficial to the reasonable construction of soil cultivated horizon, and significantly improved the yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat under the climatic conditions in the North China Plain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency)
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