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Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future...
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Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Innovative Cropping Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2026 | Viewed by 8672

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Qinge Dong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Soil and Water Conservation Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yangling, China
Interests: efficient use of water and fertilizer resources; soil water and salt regulation and simulation
Dr. Xuewen Gong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China
Interests: efficient use of water; evapotranspiration; crop water requirements; aerodynamic resistance; crop water quality response; water transport of SPAC system; regulate deficit irrigation; crop water deficit index; energy processes; balances of farmland
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water shortages and fertilizer pollution are important factors that affect agricultural production. In recent years, with the intensification of global climate change, the balance between water, fertilizer, and climate has become an important issue that must be considered by every agricultural producer. According to a report by the World Resources Institute and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 60% of irrigated agriculture is under extreme water stress on the global scale, 1.2 billion people in agricultural areas are at risk of water scarcity and acute water scarcity, and nearly 1.0 billion hectares of agricultural land are affected‌ by this. Consequently, improving irrigation water use efficiency has become the primary issue for ensuring national food security. The popularization and application of fertilizer is an important means to promote an increase in agricultural production; according to a research report by QYResearch, the worth of the global fertilizer market is estimated to soon reach USD 122.08 billion, and it is expected that, by 2030, it will be valued at USD 148.08 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.28%. However, the overuse of fertilizers also brings great environmental pressures, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change will lead to a series of problems, e.g.,‌ water scarcity and uneven distribution, increased soil water evaporation, changes in crop water requirements, and a decline in irrigation water quality‌. Therefore, the high-quality development of crop tillage systems urgently needs to realize the precise regulation of irrigation and fertilizer under future climate change scenarios. This Special Issue will cover a wide range of areas regarding the relationship of crops with irrigation, fertilizer, and climate change, with the aim of creating a favorable water–fertilizer environment for the optimization of crop tillage systems.

Dr. Qinge Dong
Dr. Xuewen Gong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Agronomy 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

  • agriculture
  • crop water requirement
  • crop yield and quality
  • evapotranspiration
  • fertilizer utilization efficiency
  • soil environment
  • water efficient use
  • water and fertilizer coupling
  • climate change

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4719 KB  
Article
Climate and Soil Properties Affect Yield-Scaled CO2 Emissions Under Plastic Film Mulching: A Meta-Analysis
by Lifeng Zhou, Xin Guo, Ting Jin and Hao Feng
Agronomy 2026, 16(7), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16070676 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Plastic film mulching (PFM) is widely used in arid, semiarid, and seasonally arid regions, where it plays a key role in regulating agricultural productivity and CO2 emissions. Our study aims to clarify the effects of PFM on crop yield, CO2 emissions, [...] Read more.
Plastic film mulching (PFM) is widely used in arid, semiarid, and seasonally arid regions, where it plays a key role in regulating agricultural productivity and CO2 emissions. Our study aims to clarify the effects of PFM on crop yield, CO2 emissions, and the associated tradeoffs, providing a theoretical basis for the sustainable use of PFM in agriculture. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare differences in crop yield, CO2 emissions, and yield-scaled CO2 emissions (YSC) between mulching and no mulching treatments while identifying factors influencing these outcomes. Our findings demonstrated that PFM enhanced crop yields of maize, wheat, and cotton by 33.2% (p < 0.001), 21.8% (p < 0.05), and 26.3% (p < 0.05), respectively. PFM stimulated CO2 emissions in maize fields by 36.8% (p < 0.001), while decreasing them in wheat and cotton fields by 11.8% (p < 0.05) and 8.1% (p > 0.05), respectively. Consequently, PFM significantly lowered YSC for maize by 39.3% (p < 0.05) and reduced it for cotton by 27.4% (p > 0.05), but led to a 38.3% increase in YSC for wheat (p > 0.05). For maize and cotton, when crop yields exceeded 6 t/ha, the YSC under plastic film mulching was higher than that under non-mulching. In contrast, for wheat, within the conventional yield range (below 10 t/ha), the YSC under plastic film mulching was lower than that under non-mulching. For cotton, the lowest YSC under PFM was achieved under the combined conditions of water inputs > 500 mm, air temperature > 8 °C, soil pH > 8, and N inputs < 200 kg N ha−1. For wheat, the lowest YSC under PFM was obtained under water inputs < 350 mm, air temperature < 8 °C, light-texture soils, and N inputs < 200 kg N ha−1. For maize, the lowest YSC under PFM was achieved under water inputs < 350 mm, air temperature < 8 °C, heavy-texture soils, soil pH < 8, and N inputs < 200 kg N ha−1. These insights offer guidance for the optimal use of PFM to enhance carbon efficiency and crop yield in agricultural systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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18 pages, 758 KB  
Article
Effect of Reduced Tillage and Weather Conditions on the Yield Formation of Selected Ancient and Modern Wheat Species
by Małgorzata Szczepanek and Rafał Nowak
Agronomy 2026, 16(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16010096 - 29 Dec 2025
Viewed by 634
Abstract
A sustainable approach to agricultural production and increasing interest in alternative wheat species have intensified research on simplified soil management systems under changing climatic conditions. A three-year field experiment (2018–2020) was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage methods (plowing, shallow tillage, and [...] Read more.
A sustainable approach to agricultural production and increasing interest in alternative wheat species have intensified research on simplified soil management systems under changing climatic conditions. A three-year field experiment (2018–2020) was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage methods (plowing, shallow tillage, and strip-till) and hydrothermal conditions on yield formation and yield components in three wheat species: Triticum sphaerococcum, Triticum persicum, and Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare. The results showed that weather conditions during the growing season strongly modulated species responses to tillage systems. Multivariate analyses confirmed that grain yield was mainly determined by fertile generative tiller density and grain number per spike, whereas thousand-grain weight played a secondary or compensatory role. In T. sphaerococcum, clear tillage effects occurred only in the most favorable year, when shallow tillage enhanced yield. T. persicum consistently responded positively to strip-till across all years, increasing grain yield by 35.5% compared with plowing. In T. aestivum, the direction of tillage effects depended on weather conditions, with shallow tillage being most beneficial under favorable moisture and plowing under drier conditions. Overall, simplified tillage systems can enhance the productivity of ancient wheat species without reducing the performance of common wheat, provided that soil management is aligned with prevailing hydrothermal conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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10 pages, 705 KB  
Article
Tillage Effects on Soil Hydraulic Parameters Estimated by Brooks–Corey Function in Clay Loam and Sandy Loam Soils
by Jalal D. Jabro, William B. Stevens, William M. Iversen, Upendra M. Sainju, Brett L. Allen and Sadikshya R. Dangi
Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2325; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102325 - 30 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1179
Abstract
Tillage practices can significantly impact soil structure and pore size distribution and connectivity, consequently affecting the shape of the soil water retention curve (SWRC) and its related estimated hydraulic parameters in the top layer of soil. This study investigated the effect of no-tillage [...] Read more.
Tillage practices can significantly impact soil structure and pore size distribution and connectivity, consequently affecting the shape of the soil water retention curve (SWRC) and its related estimated hydraulic parameters in the top layer of soil. This study investigated the effect of no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) practices on SWRCs and their soil hydraulic parameters, estimated by the Brooks–Corey (BC) function at 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths within sugarbeet and corn planting rows in clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. Soil water retention curves were measured using the evaporative method (HYPROP). Measured SWRC results were modeled for both untilled and tilled soils using the BC function for each depth in both soils. In clay loam, results indicated that all soil parameters of the BC function, water contents at 330 (θ330) and 15,000 (θ15,000) hPa, and plant available soil water content (AW) were not significantly affected by the type of tillage at either soil depth. The lack of difference in results between NT and CT may be due to considerable soil disturbance, primarily by the harvest process of sugarbeet roots. However, in sandy loam, results indicated that differences occurred in SWRC’s estimated parameters between the NT and CT practices. Averaged across 4 years and two soil depths, the pore size distribution index (λ) and saturated water content (θs) were significantly larger under CT than under NT due to greater soil loosening and disturbance caused by multiple passes of the CT process, thereby developing more soil macroporosity. However, the θ330 and AW were significantly larger in NT than in CT due to reduced soil disturbance and improved soil structure under NT compared to CT practices. Regardless of tillage, measurements of SWRC are important for determining better irrigation management practices, enabling producers to optimize crop productivity, while saving water and sustaining water quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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18 pages, 3738 KB  
Article
Effect of Alternate Sprinkler Irrigation with Saline and Fresh Water on Soil Water–Salt Transport and Corn Growth
by Yue Jiang, Luya Wang, Yanfeng Li, Hao Li and Run Xue
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1854; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081854 - 31 Jul 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1472
Abstract
To address freshwater scarcity and the underutilization of low-saline water in the North China Plain, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of alternating sprinkler irrigation using saline and fresh water on soil water–salt dynamics and corn growth. Two salinity levels [...] Read more.
To address freshwater scarcity and the underutilization of low-saline water in the North China Plain, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of alternating sprinkler irrigation using saline and fresh water on soil water–salt dynamics and corn growth. Two salinity levels (3 and 5 g·L−1, representing S1 and S2, respectively) and three irrigation strategies—saline–fresh–saline–fresh (F1), saline–fresh (F2), and mixed saline–fresh (F3)—were tested, resulting in six treatments: S1F1, S1F2, S1F3, S2F1, S2F2, and S2F3. S1F1 significantly improved soil water retention at a 30–50 cm depth and reduced surface electrical conductivity (EC) and Na+ concentration (p < 0.05). S1F1 also promoted more uniform Mg2+ distribution and limited Ca2+ loss. Under high salinity (5 g·L−1), surface salt accumulation and ion concentration (Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) increased, particularly in S2F3. Corn growth under alternating irrigation (F1/F2) outperformed the mixed mode (F3), with S1F1 achieving the highest plant height, leaf area, grain number, and 100-grain weight. The S1F1 yield surpassed others by 0.4–3.0% and maintained a better ion balance. These results suggest that alternating irrigation with low-salinity water (S1F1) effectively regulates root-zone salinity and improves crop productivity, offering a practical strategy for the sustainable use of low-saline water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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20 pages, 5790 KB  
Article
Irrigation and Planting Density Effects on Apple–Peanut Intercropping System
by Feiyang Yu, Ruoshui Wang, Xueying Zhang, Huiying Zheng, Lisha Wang, Sanzheng Jin, Qingqing Ren, Bohao Zhang and Chaolong Xing
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081798 - 25 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1301
Abstract
The western Shanxi Loess region, as a typical semi-arid ecologically fragile zone, faces severe soil and water resource constraints. The apple–peanut intercropping system can significantly improve water productivity and economic benefits through complementary resource utilization, representing an effective approach for sustainable agricultural development [...] Read more.
The western Shanxi Loess region, as a typical semi-arid ecologically fragile zone, faces severe soil and water resource constraints. The apple–peanut intercropping system can significantly improve water productivity and economic benefits through complementary resource utilization, representing an effective approach for sustainable agricultural development in the region. This study took the apple–peanut intercropping system as the research object (apple variety: ‘Yanfu 8’; peanut variety: ‘Huayu 38’), setting three peanut planting densities (D1: 27,500 plants/ha; D2: 18,333 plants/ha; D3: 10,833 plants/ha) and two water regulation measures—W1 (irrigation upper limit at 85% of field capacity, FC) and W2 (65% FC), with non-irrigated controls (CK) at different planting densities for comparison. This study systematically analyzed the synergistic regulation effects of intercropping density and water management on system water use and comprehensive benefits. Results showed that medium planting density combined with medium irrigation (W2D2 treatment) could maximize intercropping advantages, effectively improving the intercropping system’s soil water content (SWC), yield (GY), and water use efficiency (WUE). This research provides a theoretical basis for precision irrigation in fruit–crop intercropping systems in semi-arid regions. However, based on the significant water-saving and yield-increasing effects observed in the current experimental year, follow-up studies should verify its stability through multi-year fixed-position observation data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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17 pages, 1820 KB  
Article
The Impact of Water Deficit at Various Growth Stages on Physiological Characteristics, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Drip-Irrigated Jujube Trees
by Wei Qiang, Pengrui Ai, Yingjie Ma and Jinghua Zhao
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051205 - 16 May 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1563
Abstract
The long-term arid climate in Xinjiang poses a major challenge to sustainable jujube production. In this study, we systematically evaluated the impacts of deficit irrigation (DI) by comparing a full irrigation control (CK) with six DI treatments—mild DI (75% CK) and severe DI [...] Read more.
The long-term arid climate in Xinjiang poses a major challenge to sustainable jujube production. In this study, we systematically evaluated the impacts of deficit irrigation (DI) by comparing a full irrigation control (CK) with six DI treatments—mild DI (75% CK) and severe DI (50% CK) water deficits applied during either flowering + fruit setting or fruit enlargement stages. The key findings demonstrate that flowering + fruit setting DI effectively balances water conservation with productivity. Mild DI (75% CK) during flowering + fruit setting reduced irrigation by 72 mm while maintaining near-optimal photosynthesis (95% recovery post-rewatering) and significantly improving fruit quality (5.49–10.28% higher sugar content, 3.40–5.06% larger fruit volume), despite a moderate 4.22–11.36% yield reduction. In contrast, severe DI caused irreversible physiological stress (only 75% photosynthetic recovery), and fruit-enlargement-stage DI uniformly compromised both yield and fruit size. An economic analysis confirmed flowering + fruit setting mild DI as optimal, generating 17,139–20,550 RMB·ha−1 profit through enhanced water use efficiency (WUE) and premium-quality fruit production. PLS-PM validation revealed that targeted flowering + fruit setting water deficit suppresses vegetative overgrowth while optimizing source–sink relationships, achieving a 23–31% WUE improvement without sacrificing marketable yield. Thus, mild DI during flowering + fruit setting is a climate-smart irrigation strategy for Xinjiang’s jujube industry, resolving water scarcity challenges with economic viability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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Review

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27 pages, 8106 KB  
Review
Mapping the Evolution of DSSAT Model Research: Trends, Transitions, and Future Frontiers
by Shikai Gao, Pengcheng He, Yuliang Fu, Yanbin Li, Hongfei Wang, Qian Wang, Aofeng He, Yihao Liu, Wei Zeng, Hao Li, Xiaochuan Chen, Xinru Liu, Tianli Ren, Yaobin Wang and Xuewen Gong
Agronomy 2026, 16(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16020141 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1027
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the DSSAT crop modeling field from 1990 to 2024, identifying its evolutionary trajectory and emerging frontiers. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis and network visualization were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix. Analyzing 6165 Scopus-indexed publications, we [...] Read more.
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the DSSAT crop modeling field from 1990 to 2024, identifying its evolutionary trajectory and emerging frontiers. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis and network visualization were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix. Analyzing 6165 Scopus-indexed publications, we found the research focus has shifted from foundational yield simulation and calibration toward addressing complex climate-water-food challenges. Three distinct developmental phases were identified: an initial establishment phase, a methodological refinement phase, and a current technology integration phase dominated by machine learning and remote sensing applications. The results reveal that machine learning, model-data fusion, and sustainability assessment represent the most active research frontiers. This analysis provides a systematic map of the field’s intellectual structure and offers evidence-based predictions for its future development, highlighting the transition of DSSAT from a specialized crop model to an interdisciplinary decision-support platform for sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilizer Requirements of Crop Tillage Systems Under Future Climate Change Scenarios)
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