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Agronomy
Special Issues
Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield
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Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2025) | Viewed by 11720

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ziyin Shang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of People’s Republic of China, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Interests: cropland greenhouse gas emissions and mitigations; cropping system; spatial simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Liujun Xiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Engineering and Technology Center for Information Agriculture, Key Laboratory for Crop System Analysis and Decision Making, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
Interests: crop modelling; plant diseases modelling; sustainable agriculture; cropland management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shunhua Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Interests: soil carbon and nitrogen cycling in Earth’s critical zone; digital soil mapping
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue "Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield" addresses the critical roles of carbon and nitrogen dynamics in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Understanding these biogeochemical cycles is essential for developing sustainable agricultural practices that not only mitigate climate change but also reduce environmental pollution. This issue aims to explore innovative research on the effects, mechanisms, and interactions of advanced or integrated practices. We seek cutting-edge studies on soil–plant–microbe interactions, bottom-up or top-down modelling approaches, and field or laboratory experiments. The overall aim of this Special Issue is to offer insights into optimizing agricultural systems to enhance yield while minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, thereby contributing to climate resilience and sustainable food production.

Dr. Ziyin Shang
Dr. Liujun Xiao
Dr. Shunhua Yang
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-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

  • rice
  • maize
  • wheat
  • greenhouse gas
  • methane
  • nitrous oxide
  • ammonia
  • carbon
  • nitrogen
  • modelling

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 6525 KB  
Article
High-Resolution Crop Mapping and Suitability Assessment in China’s Three Northeastern Provinces (2000–2023): Implications for Optimizing Crop Layout
by Xiaoxiao Wang, Huafu Zhao, Guanying Zhao, Xuzhou Qu, Congjie Cao, Jiacheng Qian, Sheng Fu, Tao Wang and Huiqin Han
Agronomy 2025, 15(11), 2587; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15112587 - 10 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1617
Abstract
The three northeastern provinces of China are the country’s most important grain-producing region, particularly for maize, soybean, and rice, and form its largest commercial grain base. Over the past two decades, cropping structures in this region have undergone notable shifts driven by both [...] Read more.
The three northeastern provinces of China are the country’s most important grain-producing region, particularly for maize, soybean, and rice, and form its largest commercial grain base. Over the past two decades, cropping structures in this region have undergone notable shifts driven by both climate change and human activities. Generating long-term, high-resolution maps of multi-crop distribution and evaluating their suitability is essential for understanding cropping dynamics, optimizing land use, and promoting sustainable agriculture. In this study, we integrated multi-source satellite imagery from Landsat and Sentinel-2 to map the distribution of rice, maize, and soybean from 2000 to 2023 using a Random Forest classifier. A crop suitability assessment framework was developed by combining a multi-criteria evaluation model with the MaxEnt model. Reliable training samples were derived by overlaying suitability evaluation results with stable crop growth areas, and environmental variables—including climate, topography, soil, hydrology, and anthropogenic factors—were incorporated into MaxEnt to assess suitability. Furthermore, the spatial consistency between actual cultivation and suitability was evaluated to identify areas of misallocated land use. The results show that: (1) the six classification maps achieved an average overall accuracy of 91.05% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.857; (2) the cultivation area of all three crops expanded, with maize showing the largest increase, followed by soybean and rice, and the dominant conversion being from soybean to maize; (3) suitability areas ranked as soybean (376,692 km2) > maize (329,056 km2) > rice (311,869 km2), with substantial spatial overlap, particularly between maize and soybean, suggesting strong competition; and (4) in 2023, highly suitable zones accounted for 57.39% of rice, 39.69% of maize, and 28.89% of soybean cultivation, indicating a closer alignment between actual distribution and suitability for rice, weaker for maize, and weakest for soybean, whose suitable zones were often displaced by rice and maize. These findings provide insights to guide farmers in optimizing crop allocation and offer a scientific basis for policymakers in designing cultivated land protection strategies in Northeast China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield)
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17 pages, 974 KB  
Article
The Rate and Duration of Nitrogen Addition Influence the Response of Soil Heterotrophic Respiration to Nitrogen in Cropping Systems
by Yingliang Yu, Hao Cheng, Jie Tang, Linzhang Yang and Lihong Xue
Agronomy 2025, 15(11), 2521; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15112521 - 29 Oct 2025
Viewed by 764
Abstract
Under today’s climate warming, mitigating the risks of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in cropping systems is critical to maintain carbon sequestration. This study posits that nitrogen addition rate and duration are the key factors influencing the responses of soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh) [...] Read more.
Under today’s climate warming, mitigating the risks of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in cropping systems is critical to maintain carbon sequestration. This study posits that nitrogen addition rate and duration are the key factors influencing the responses of soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh) to climate warming in a cropping system. Based on soil sampled from traditional-agriculture rice-growing regions in the Taihu Lake Basin in eastern China, this study aimed to clarify how nitrogen addition strategies affect soil Rh and its temperature sensitivity (Q10) and to explore the underlying mechanisms of the changes in soil environment that influence carbon emissions under nitrogen addition through the Rh pathway. The results demonstrate that, with the increasing duration of nitrogen addition, soil Rh and its Q10 were initially increased but subsequently suppressed, and the inhibitory effect on soil Rh became apparent after six years of continuous addition. Further analysis revealed that decreases in C/N, pH, and extractable organic nitrogen and increases in mineral nitrogen are the primary factors suppressing soil Rh. These findings indicate that an optimized nitrogen addition strategy tailored to specific crops could achieve profitable crop yields while effectively mitigating the promoting effect of climate warming on SOC decomposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield)
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20 pages, 2222 KB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of Improved Maize Seeds on Productivity of Tanzanian Family Farms: A Maize Seed Stochastic Simulation (MaizeSim) Approach
by Ibrahim L. Kadigi, Eliaza Mkuna and Stefan Sieber
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051167 - 11 May 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3338
Abstract
Investment in modern agricultural practices (MAPs) is crucial for improving crop productivity and household food availability in developing countries like Tanzania, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. This study assesses the impact of improved maize seeds on productivity across Tanzania’s agroecological [...] Read more.
Investment in modern agricultural practices (MAPs) is crucial for improving crop productivity and household food availability in developing countries like Tanzania, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy. This study assesses the impact of improved maize seeds on productivity across Tanzania’s agroecological zones using data from the Tanzanian National Panel Survey (NPS) Wave 5. A stochastic simulation model (a non-parametric model, “MaizeSim”) was employed to account for the inherent variability and uncertainty considerations in maize yields, offering a more accurate representation of outcomes for both improved seed users and non-users. The results reveal that farmers who used improved seeds had a 33% probability of achieving yields above 2 t/ha, compared to only 11% for those using local varieties. Conversely, non-users faced a 65% probability of harvesting below 1 t/ha, while this probability dropped to 38% for improved seed users. Regionally, the highest productivity gains were observed in the Central, Southern Highlands, and Northern Highlands zones, whereas the Eastern Coastal, Southern, and Lake zones experienced minimal benefits. The findings underscore the critical importance of encouraging the adoption of improved seed varieties as a pathway to enhance maize productivity, particularly in regions with favorable agroecological conditions. This study provides valuable insights for the development of the Tanzanian Seed Sector Development Strategy 2030, advocating for policies that promote increased investment in improved maize seeds. The results suggest that sustained application of these seeds, alongside complementary interventions such as agronomic training and improved access to inputs, is essential for improving the productivity and food availability of Tanzanian smallholder farmers. By addressing regional disparities and promoting tailored seed varieties, this strategy could significantly enhance the resilience and productivity of the country’s maize sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield)
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19 pages, 3300 KB  
Article
Impact of Spatial Evolution of Cropland Pattern on Cropland Suitability in Black Soil Region of Northeast China, 1990–2020
by Long Kang and Kening Wu
Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010172 - 12 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1933
Abstract
Agricultural land resources are essential for food production, and thus it is vital to examine the spatiotemporal changes in these resources and their impacts on land suitability to optimize resource allocation. In this study, we investigated the spatial evolution of cropland resources through [...] Read more.
Agricultural land resources are essential for food production, and thus it is vital to examine the spatiotemporal changes in these resources and their impacts on land suitability to optimize resource allocation. In this study, we investigated the spatial evolution of cropland resources through land use change analysis by utilizing four periods of land use data from 1990 to 2020 in the black soil region of northeast China (BSRNC). Employing niche theory, we developed a cultivability evaluation model tailored to the BSRNC, which was used to assess the impact of the spatial changes in cropland patterns over the past 30 years on land suitability. Our key findings are as follows: (1) Cropland resources have generally tended to expand in the BSRNC, with an increase of 7.16 × 103 km2 in the cultivated area and a northeastward shift in the cropland center by 52.94 km, indicating significant changes in the spatial configuration of the land. (2) The region’s cultivable land resources were substantial, covering 694.06 × 103 km2, or 55.78% of the total area, with notable spatial variability, influenced by the regional climate and topography. (3) The land cultivability has slightly improved, as shown by a 0.10 increase in the cultivability index, but a significant declining trend in the cultivability of cropland was observed after 2000. Our findings provide valuable insights to help accurately assess land productivity in the BSRNC and facilitate the sustainable use and conservation of black soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield)
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15 pages, 5442 KB  
Article
Conservation Tillage Mitigates Soil Organic Carbon Losses While Maintaining Maize Yield Stability Under Future Climate Change Scenarios in Northeast China: A Simulation of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Model
by Hongrun Liu, Baocai Su, Rui Liu, Jiajie Wang, Ting Wang, Yijia Lian, Zhenzong Lu, Xue Yuan, Zhenwei Song and Runzhi Li
Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010001 - 24 Dec 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2871
Abstract
Global warming may reduce maize yields and soil organic carbon (SOC), potentially threatening global food security and soil health. To address this concern in Northeast China, one of the world’s major maize production areas, the maize Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Model (APSIM) was [...] Read more.
Global warming may reduce maize yields and soil organic carbon (SOC), potentially threatening global food security and soil health. To address this concern in Northeast China, one of the world’s major maize production areas, the maize Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Model (APSIM) was used to evaluate how different tillage methods and straw return practices affect maize yields and SOC under future climate scenarios. The purpose of this study is to deal with the threat of global warming to the yield and SOC in the northeastern maize-producing areas, explore sustainable agricultural management strategies to stabilize the yield, enhance the soil carbon pool, counter the impact of climate change, and seek ways to ensure regional food and soil health. This study explored three tillage methods—plowing tillage (PT), rotary tillage (RT), and no-tillage (NT)—and two straw return methods—straw return (SR) and no straw return (SN)—under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The results showed that under the climate change scenarios: (1) For different tillage methods, no-tillage (NT) management showed the greatest increase in crop yield at 6.2%. SOC is highest under NT in the 0–20 cm soil layer under both straw return methods and climate scenarios. (2) For different straw return methods, SOC decreases when the straw is removed (SN) but increases when the straw is returned (SR) in both scenarios. Soil organic carbon density (SOCD) declines but can be mitigated by straw return. (3) Overall, tillage and straw return practices can significantly impact SOC under RCP4.5 but not under RCP8.5. Tillage and straw return practices together explain more than 50% yield changes under climate change scenarios. Through the modeling approach, this study revealed the potential benefits of integrating tillage and straw management practices to sustain maize yields and SOC. These practices can mitigate long-term climate change impacts on crop yields and soil health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production for Mitigating Environmental Impact and Increasing Yield)
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