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Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 9384

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Haipeng Zhang

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Guest Editor

Research Institute of Rice Industrial Engineering Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: crop cultivation physiology; novel fertilizer innovations

Dr. Xinliang Dong

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Guest Editor

The Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050021, China
Interests: biochar; soil improvement; soil organic carbon; salinity; aggregates; isotope; farmland
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the face of the ongoing challenge of ensuring food security for the global population, achieving higher crop yields and enhanced food quality has become a pivotal goal for agricultural scientists. For this Special Issue, we invite the submission of research papers that explore nutrient management and soil quality practices crucial to stable, high-yield rice and wheat production across diverse ecological regions. We encourage submissions that investigate innovative fertilizer products and precision application techniques, alongside their nutrient action mechanisms. Furthermore, we welcome studies addressing the effects of practices such as straw return, organic fertilizer substitution, and the integration of water and nutrient management on the synergistic production of high-quality rice and wheat. We aim to identify key technologies and cultivation models that promote efficient production while enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Both long-term fertilizer efficacy studies and shorter-term tests (such as pot, hydroponic, and field tests) are encouraged. Through this Special Issue, we invite you to contribute to this vital discourse.

Dr. Haipeng Zhang
Dr. Xinliang Dong
Guest Editors

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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.

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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

nutrient management
soil quality
rice and wheat cultivation
precision fertilization
sustainable agriculture

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1655 KB

Open AccessArticle

Source-Dependent Effects of Organic Fertilizer Substitution on Rice Yield, Grain Quality, and Soil Properties in a Paddy System

by Chengcheng Zeng, Jinping Chen, Jinsheng Huang, Fangyuan Li, Qin Li, Tianming Su, Lirong Su, Huiping Ou and Tieguang He

Agronomy 2026, 16(9), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16090909 - 30 Apr 2026

Viewed by 127

Abstract

Organic fertilizer substitution is increasingly used to reduce chemical nitrogen input in rice production, but the agronomic effects may vary with fertilizer source. This study compared chemical fertilizer alone with seven organic substitution treatments based on rapeseed cake, peanut bran, mushroom residue fertilizer, cattle manure, chicken manure, goat manure, and pig manure under the same nitrogen substitution ratio. Rice yield, grain quality, post-harvest soil physicochemical properties, and integrated performance were evaluated in the 2025 final-year dataset after two consecutive years of continuous fertilization. Responses differed clearly among fertilizer sources. Chicken manure and cattle manure produced the highest grain yields, mainly through stronger effects on grains per panicle, seed-setting rate, and grain filling. Grain quality showed more selective responses: mushroom residue fertilizer resulted in the highest head rice rate, peanut bran increased chalkiness-related traits, and mushroom residue fertilizer and goat manure were associated with higher grain protein content. In contrast to the yield pattern, plant-derived fertilizers, especially rapeseed cake and mushroom residue fertilizer, showed stronger advantages in post-harvest soil improvement. Rapeseed cake produced the highest soil quality index, whereas mushroom residue fertilizer showed the most balanced overall performance across yield, grain quality, and soil variables. These results indicate that the effects of organic fertilizer substitution in rice are strongly source-dependent. Animal-derived fertilizers were more favorable for short-term yield improvement, rapeseed cake was more effective for soil fertility enhancement, and mushroom residue fertilizer provided the best overall balance among productivity, grain quality, and soil improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

20 pages, 3490 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen Alleviates Heat-Induced Damage in Rice by Coordinating Hormonal Balance and Carbohydrate Metabolism to Maintain Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis

by Junjiang Lin, Mingde Wang, Jianbin Zheng, Tingting Chen, Wenting Wang, Yuxiang Zeng, Jie Xiong and Guanfu Fu

Agronomy 2026, 16(3), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16030352 - 31 Jan 2026

Viewed by 864

Abstract

Nitrogen plays a critical role in regulating rice growth and stress resistance, yet its influence on heat tolerance at the seedling stage remains poorly understood. To clarify the physiological mechanisms involved, this study subjected rice seedlings to a transient range of temperature treatments (30, 35, 40, and 45 °C) under varying nitrogen levels. We systematically evaluated plant growth and analyzed key metabolic responses related to carbohydrates, phytohormones, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results demonstrated that temperatures of 40 °C and 45 °C significantly suppressed seedling growth, while elevated nitrogen supply effectively mitigated heat-induced damage, as evidenced by reduced leaf wilting and higher chlorophyll retention. Under high-temperature stress, seedlings receiving high nitrogen maintained superior carbohydrate reserves, higher levels of hormones such as zeatin ribosides, indole-3-acetic acid, and gibberellins, as well as a greater activity of key nitrogen metabolism enzymes compared to those under low nitrogen. Furthermore, high nitrogen enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and significantly lowered the accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Collectively, these findings indicate that appropriate nitrogen application enhances heat tolerance in rice seedlings through an integrated regulation of carbohydrate and hormone metabolism coupled with strengthened antioxidant capacity and improved ROS homeostasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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16 pages, 1981 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Microbial Metagenomics Evidence Reveals Forest Soil Amendment Contributes to Increased Sugarcane Yields in Long-Term Cropping Systems

by Rudan Li, Ruli Zhang, Zhongfu Zhang, Guolei Tang, Peifang Zhao and Jun Deng

Agronomy 2026, 16(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16010122 - 4 Jan 2026

Viewed by 836

Abstract

Long-term continuous cropping is a prevalent agricultural practice aimed at maximizing land use efficiency and crop yields, yet it often leads to severe soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, and microbial community disruption. Effective soil remediation strategies are urgently needed to restore soil health and ensure sustainable agricultural production. In this study, we investigated the impact of forest soil amendment on microbial community structure, diversity, and functional potential in long-term continuous cropping soils. Using metagenomic sequencing, we analyzed soils from natural forest (BK), forest soil-amended soils (BCP), and fields under continuous cropping for 15 years (CP15) and 30 years (CP30). Forest soil amendment significantly mitigated microbial diversity loss and structural degradation caused by prolonged monoculture. Alpha diversity analysis revealed that BCP restored microbial diversity to levels comparable to BK, while beta diversity and NMDS analyses showed that microbial community composition in BCP closely resembled that of forest soil. Taxonomic profiling indicated that forest soil amendment enriched beneficial taxa such as Actinobacterota and Acidobacteriota, reversing shifts observed in CP15 and CP30. Functionally, COG and KEGG annotations revealed that BCP soils exhibited higher abundances of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, energy production, and nutrient cycling. Notably, the amendment reduced antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors, potentially improving the microbial risk profile of soil communities. These findings demonstrate that forest soil amendment effectively restores microbial community structure and functionality in degraded soils, providing a nature-based solution for sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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16 pages, 1788 KB

Open AccessArticle

Zinc Fertilization Enhances Growth, Yield, and Zinc Use Efficiency of Rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Chai Nat 1) in Contrasting Soil Textures

by Benjapon Kunlanit, Tanapon Siritrakulsak, Ratanaporn Poosathit, Tuan Vu Dinh and Patma Vityakon

Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2779; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122779 - 30 Nov 2025

Viewed by 822

Abstract

Efficient nutrient management is vital to sustaining rice production in the sandy soils of Northeast Thailand, where zinc (Zn) deficiency and low organic matter often constrain yield. This study evaluated the effects of Zn fertilization on the growth, yield, and Zn use efficiency (ZUE) of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Chai Nat 1) grown under greenhouse conditions in contrasting soil textures (loamy sand and clay). Four Zn rates were applied: 0, 5, 10, and 15 kg ZnSO₄·7H₂O ha⁻¹ (0, 0.013, 0.026, and 0.039 g ZnSO₄·7H₂O pot⁻¹). Clay soil, with higher organic matter, nitrogen, and available Zn, supported greater vegetative growth, biomass, and yield than loamy sand. Zinc fertilization significantly increased plant height, tiller number, chlorophyll content, biomass, panicle number, grain number, and filled grain weight. Yield improvement in loamy sand was associated mainly with reproductive efficiency, whereas in clay it was driven by vegetative vigor, biomass accumulation, and Zn uptake. Thousand-grain weight was not affected by Zn. ZUE peaked at 5 kg ha⁻¹ in loamy sand and 10 kg ha⁻¹ in clay, with clay showing a greater overall increase in ZUE across Zn rates and loamy sand exhibiting diminishing returns at higher application rates, reflecting differences in Zn availability and retention capacity. Correlation, PCA, and SEM analyses confirmed soil-specific yield mechanisms. Overall, Zn fertilization improved rice productivity and tissue Zn concentration, with optimal rates differing by soil texture. These findings highlight the importance of site-specific Zn management in enhancing yield, nutrient efficiency, and biofortification in rice-based systems of Northeast Thailand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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19 pages, 8528 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporally Matched Nitrogen Release from a Double Core-Shell Urea Improves Rice Growth

by Ruotong Fang, Canping Dun, Ting Chen, Hao Lu, Peiyuan Cui, Nianbing Zhou, Yanju Yang and Hongcheng Zhang

Agronomy 2025, 15(9), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15092143 - 6 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 998

Abstract

Photosynthetic efficiency and dry matter accumulation are essential for achieving high rice yields, yet conventional controlled-release fertilizers often fail to synchronize nitrogen (N) supply with crop demand. In this study, we evaluated a novel double core–shell controlled-release urea (DCSCRU) designed to align with the bimodal N uptake pattern of rice. A two-year field experiment was conducted to compare DCSCRU at three application rates (180, 225, and 270 kg N ha⁻¹) with conventional urea and conventional controlled-release urea (both at 270 kg N ha⁻¹). DCSCRU exhibited a distinct biphasic N release profile, with a rapid initial release peaking at 1.60% d ⁻¹ on day 10 to meet early vegetative demand, followed by a second peak (1.85% d⁻¹ on day 45) supporting reproductive development. Compared with conventional urea, DCSCRU treatments significantly improved photosynthetic efficiency and dry matter accumulation during critical growth stages. The 270 kg N ha⁻¹ DCSCRU treatment achieved a grain yield exceeding 11.50 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹, substantially higher than that of conventional urea. Notably, the 225 kg N ha⁻¹ DCSCRU treatment produced a comparable yield (10.90 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹) to that of the conventional urea treatment (10.83 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹), indicating the potential to reduce N input by 16.7% without compromising yield. The enhanced physiological performance was attributed to improved N availability and optimized canopy function. These findings highlight DCSCRU as a promising strategy for high-yield, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable rice production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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13 pages, 828 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ferric Oxide Nanoparticles Foliar Application Effectively Enhanced Iron Bioavailability and Rice Quality in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grains

by Xijun Yuan, Muyan Zhang, Jingtong Sun, Xinyue Liu, Jie Chen, Rui Wang, Hao Lu and Yanju Yang

Agronomy 2025, 15(9), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15092096 - 30 Aug 2025

Viewed by 1216

Abstract

Synergizing iron nutrition and rice quality is essential for the development of integrated high-quality rice. In this study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of ferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) foliar spraying on rice yield, quality, and iron bioavailability, with spraying water as the control (CK). Our results demonstrate that Fe₂O₃ NPs foliar application increase grain yield by 1.22–3.97% for the improved filled grain rate and 1000-grain weight, essentially attributed to improved net photosynthetic rate and SPAD value after heading. In addition, Fe₂O₃ NPs application achieved a higher rate of brown rice, polished rice, and head rice, and decreased chalkiness grain rate and chalkiness degree. Rice taste value treated with Fe₂O₃ NPs application was notably increased by 2.75–9.43% compared to CK, respectively, which is also reflected in the superior breakdown value (5.85–15.18%) and inferior setback value (12.38–28.19%). Meanwhile, foliar spraying Fe₂O₃ NPs significantly increased the iron content (16.97–58.74% and 26.48–94.01%) and proportion (2.90–5.35% and 13.10–26.44%), while they decreased the molar ratio of phytate to Fe (19.70–33.67% and 31.55–45.77%) in brown rice and polished rice, increasing iron bioavailability. Our findings indicate that Fe₂O₃ NPs can be effectively applied as a foliar fertilizer to enhance rice yield, quality, and iron nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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13 pages, 611 KB

Open AccessArticle

Water Levels More than Earthworms Impact Rice Growth and Productivity: A Greenhouse Study

by Sreypich Sinh, Quang Van Pham, Lan Anh Thi Le, Ruben Puga Freitas, Anne Repellin, Vannak Ann, Nicolas Bottinelli and Pascal Jouquet

Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1245; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051245 - 20 May 2025

Viewed by 1844

Abstract

Earthworms are highly active in Southeast Asian paddy fields, yet their activity is challenging to measure in flooded soils. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of the subaquatic earthworm Glyphidrilus papillatus (Michaelsen, 1896) on soil properties and rice (Oryza sativa L.) physiology in Northern Vietnam, specifically focusing on rice cultivation at three distinct water levels: 5 cm above the soil surface (HIGH), at the soil level (ZERO), and 5 cm below the soil surface (LOW). Our findings indicate that water levels significantly affect earthworm activity, with the lowest activity observed at the shallowest water depth, as evidenced by reduced pore production in the soil and fewer casts on the surface. While earthworms are typically associated with enhanced soil fertility, this study did not confirm this relationship. Consequently, despite the substantial reorganization of soil structure, no significant interactions were found between earthworm presence and rice biomass, physiological parameters (such as leaf stomatal conductance to water vapor, chlorophyll content, and maximum quantum yield of PSII), or overall yield. In conclusion, this research highlights the critical role of the water level in influencing both earthworm activity and rice development. It underscores the necessity of considering additional ecological factors, such as carbon dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, and plant resilience to environmental stressors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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17 pages, 3568 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Delayed Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield, Canopy Structure, and Microenvironment of Winter Wheat with Different Planting Densities

by Zhilin Shi, Tingyong Mao, Long Ma, Hongjian Pan, Jiahao Liu, Desheng Wang, Lili Yang and Yunlong Zhai

Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020502 - 19 Feb 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizer setback and planting density both affect wheat yield. However, the differences in winter wheat yield and its components, canopy structure, and microenvironment caused by N fertilizer setback at different planting densities are not clear. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the most suitable planting density and N fertilizer setback combinations for winter wheat. Three planting densities of 3.3, 2.36, and 1.77 million plants·hm⁻², and two basal fertilizer/nodulation and fertilizer/spike fertilizer ratios of 6:4:0 and 4:3:3, respectively, were used in the experiment. The results of the two-year experiment showed that, under the same planting density, the yields of wheat with nitrogen fertilizer setback increased by 8.2%, 2.7%, and 2.8%, respectively; the total leaf area of the upper trifoliate leaves increased by 10.7–17.4%; and the leaf area index (LAI) increased by 5.4% and 5.3%, respectively. The results showed that the yield, the effective number of spikes, leaf area index, and vertical light interception of wheat at a density of 3.30 million plants·hm⁻² were higher than those of the other treatments. In both years of the experiment, the planting density of 3.30 million plants·hm⁻² with nitrogen fertilizer setback (basal fertilizer/nodulation fertilizer/spike fertilizer = 4:3:3) was the best. Therefore, a nitrogen application of 240 kg·hm⁻² and a planting density of 3.30 million hm⁻² with nitrogen fertilizer setback was found to be the best combination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Fertilization Strategies and Soil Health for Rice and Wheat Cultivation)

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