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Keywords = Huang-Huai-Hai plain

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22 pages, 2180 KiB  
Article
Regulated Deficit Irrigation Improves Yield Formation and Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Winter Wheat at Different Soil Fertility Levels
by Xiaolei Wu, Zhongdong Huang, Chao Huang, Zhandong Liu, Junming Liu, Hui Cao and Yang Gao
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081874 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 348
Abstract
Water scarcity and spatial variability in soil fertility are key constraints to stable grain production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. However, the interaction mechanisms between regulated deficit irrigation and soil fertility influencing yield formation and water-nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat remain unclear. In [...] Read more.
Water scarcity and spatial variability in soil fertility are key constraints to stable grain production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. However, the interaction mechanisms between regulated deficit irrigation and soil fertility influencing yield formation and water-nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat remain unclear. In this study, a two-year field experiment (2022–2024) was conducted to investigate the effects of two irrigation regimes—regulated deficit irrigation during the heading to grain filling stage (D) and full irrigation (W)—under four soil fertility levels: F1 (N: P: K = 201.84: 97.65: 199.05 kg ha−1), F2 (278.52: 135: 275.4 kg ha−1), F3 (348.15: 168.75: 344.25 kg ha−1), and CK (no fertilization). The results show that aboveground dry matter accumulation, total nitrogen content, pre-anthesis dry matter and nitrogen translocation, and post-anthesis accumulation significantly increased with fertility level (p < 0.05). Regulated deficit irrigation promoted the contribution of post-anthesis dry matter to grain yield under the CK and F1 treatments, but suppressed it under the F2 and F3 treatments. However, it consistently enhanced the contribution of post-anthesis nitrogen to grain yield (p < 0.05) across all fertility levels. Higher fertility levels prolonged the grain filling duration by 18.04% but reduced the mean grain filling rate by 15.05%, whereas regulated deficit irrigation shortened the grain filling duration by 3.28% and increased the mean grain filling rate by 12.83% (p < 0.05). Grain yield significantly increased with improved fertility level (p < 0.05), reaching a maximum of 9361.98 kg·ha−1 under the F3 treatment. Regulated deficit irrigation increased yield under the CK and F1 treatments but reduced it under the F2 and F3 treatments. Additionally, water use efficiency exhibited a parabolic response to fertility level and was significantly enhanced by regulated deficit irrigation. Nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP) declined with increasing fertility level (p < 0.05); Regulated deficit irrigation improved NPFP under the F1 treatment but reduced it under the F2 and F3 treatments. The highest NPFP (41.63 kg·kg−1) was achieved under the DF1 treatment, which was 54.81% higher than that under the F3 treatment. TOPSIS analysis showed that regulated deficit irrigation combined with the F1 fertility level provided the optimal balance among yield, WUE, and NPFP. Therefore, implementing regulated deficit irrigation during the heading–grain filling stage under moderate fertility (F1) is recommended as the most effective strategy for achieving high yield and efficient resource utilization in winter wheat production in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Management in Water-Limited Cropping Systems)
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18 pages, 3361 KiB  
Article
Model-Based Assessment of Phenological and Climate Suitability Dynamics for Winter Wheat in the 3H Plain Under Future Climate Scenarios
by Yifei Xu, Te Li, Min Xu, Shuanghe Shen and Ling Tan
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1606; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151606 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 261
Abstract
Understanding future changes in crop phenology and climate suitability is essential for sustaining winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai (3H) Plain under climate change. This study integrates bias-corrected CMIP6 climate projections, the DSSAT CERES-Wheat crop model, and Random Forest analysis to assess spatiotemporal [...] Read more.
Understanding future changes in crop phenology and climate suitability is essential for sustaining winter wheat production in the Huang-Huai-Hai (3H) Plain under climate change. This study integrates bias-corrected CMIP6 climate projections, the DSSAT CERES-Wheat crop model, and Random Forest analysis to assess spatiotemporal shifts in winter wheat phenology and climate suitability. The assessment focuses on the mid- (2041–2060) and late 21st century (2081–2100) under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. The results indicate that the vegetative and whole growing periods (VGP and WGP) will be extended in the mid-century but shorten by the late century. In contrast, the reproductive growing period (RGP) will be slightly reduced in the mid-century and extended under high emissions in the late century. Temperature suitability is projected to increase during the VGP and WGP but decline during the RGP. Precipitation suitability generally improves, except for a decrease during the reproductive period south of 32° N. Solar radiation suitability is expected to decline across all stages. Temperature is identified as the primary driver of phenological changes, with solar radiation and precipitation playing increasingly important roles in the mid- and late 21st century, respectively. Adaptive strategies, including the adoption of heat-tolerant varieties, longer reproductive periods, and earlier sowing, are recommended to enhance yield stability under future climate conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ecosystem, Environment and Climate Change in Agriculture)
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23 pages, 7168 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Soil Phosphorus Availability in Intercropping Systems: Roles of Plant Growth Regulators
by Chunhua Gao, Weilin Kong, Fengtao Zhao, Feiyan Ju, Ping Liu, Zongxin Li, Kaichang Liu and Haijun Zhao
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071748 - 20 Jul 2025
Viewed by 341
Abstract
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) enhance crop stress resistance but their roles in microbial-mediated phosphorus cycling within intercropping systems are unclear. Thus, We conducted a two-year field study using corn (Zea mays L. cv. Denghai 605) and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. [...] Read more.
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) enhance crop stress resistance but their roles in microbial-mediated phosphorus cycling within intercropping systems are unclear. Thus, We conducted a two-year field study using corn (Zea mays L. cv. Denghai 605) and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Hedou 22) in fluvisols and luvisols soil according to World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) standard. Under a 4-row corn and 6-row soybean strip intercropping system, three treatments were applied: a water control (CK), and two plant growth regulators—T1 (EC: ethephon [300 mg/L] + cycocel [2 g/L]) and T2 (ED: ethephon [300 mg/L] + 2-Diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate [10 mg/L]). Foliar applications were administered at the V7 stage (seventh leaf) of intercropped corn plants to assess how foliar-applied PGRs (T1/T2) modulated the soil phosphorus availability, microbial communities, and functional genes in maize intercropping systems. PGRs increased the soil organic phosphorus and available phosphorus contents, and alkaline phosphatase activity, but not total phosphorus. PGRs declined the α-diversity in fluvisols soil but increased the α-diversity in luvisols soil. The major taxa changed from Actinobacteria (CK) to Proteobacteria (T1) and Saccharibacteria (T2) in fluvisols soil, and from Actinobacteria/Gemmatimonadetes (CK) to Saccharibacteria (T1) and Acidobacteria (T2) in luvisols soil. Functional gene dynamics indicated soil-specific regulation, where fluvisols soil harbored more phoD (organic phosphorus mineralization) and relA (polyphosphate degradation) genes, whereas phnP gene dominated in luvisols soil. T1 stimulated organic phosphorus mineralization and inorganic phosphorus solubilization in fluvisols soil, upregulating regulation genes, and T2 enhanced polyphosphate synthesis and transport gene expression in luvisols soil. Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Chloroflexi were positively correlated with organic phosphorus mineralization and polyphosphate cycling genes, whereas Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia correlated with available potassium (AP), total phosphorus (TP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Thus, PGRs activated soil phosphorus by restructuring soil type-dependent microbial functional networks, connecting PGRs-induced shifts with microbial phosphorus cycling mechanisms. These findings facilitate the targeted use of PGRs to optimize microbial-driven phosphorus efficiency in strategies for sustainable phosphorus management in diverse agricultural soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)
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15 pages, 2591 KiB  
Article
Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Dairy Manure and Cucumber Residues: Methane Production Efficiency and Microbial Community Characteristics
by Yanqin Wang, Yan Li, Yumeng Qi, Longyun Fu, Guangjie Li, Zhaodong Liu, Luji Bo and Yongping Jing
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071610 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion for biogas production represents a crucial approach to achieving the high-value utilization of agricultural solid waste. The adoption of multi-material co-digestion offers a viable solution to overcome the inherent constraints associated with single-substrate digestion, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency of resource [...] Read more.
Anaerobic digestion for biogas production represents a crucial approach to achieving the high-value utilization of agricultural solid waste. The adoption of multi-material co-digestion offers a viable solution to overcome the inherent constraints associated with single-substrate digestion, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency of resource utilization. This study explored a co-digestion system using dairy manure and cucumber vines as substrates, uncovering how total solids (TS) influence the methane yield and microbial community characteristics. All treatments exhibited swift methane fermentation, with daily production initially increasing before declining. Cumulative methane production increased with the increasing TS contents. These results may be linked to pH value and the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Except for the 6% TS treatment, digesters across different TS levels maintained a favorable final pH of 7.4–8.4, while VFA concentrations exhibited a downward trend as TS contents increased. The treatment with the highest TS concentration (25%) demonstrated superior performance, achieving the maximum volumetric methane yield. This yield was 1.6 to 9.1 times higher than those obtained at low (6–10%) and medium (12–18%) TS concentrations. Microbial community analysis revealed that during the peak methane production phase, Firmicutes and Methanoculleus were the predominant bacterial and archaeal phyla, respectively. The microbial community structure changed with different TS levels. This study offers valuable scientific insights for enhancing biogas production efficiency in co-digestion systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering)
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33 pages, 6184 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Green Perception Benefits and Environmental Regulation Intensity on Farmers’ Agricultural Green Production Willingness: A New Perspective of Technology Acquisition
by Mingyue Li, Pujie Zhao and Yu Sun
Agriculture 2025, 15(13), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131414 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Agricultural green production (AGP) is a key strategy for ensuring stable and sustainable grain production in developing countries. However, from the perspective of technology acquisition, research on farmers’ willingness to adopt AGP remains limited. Based on this, a survey was conducted on 862 [...] Read more.
Agricultural green production (AGP) is a key strategy for ensuring stable and sustainable grain production in developing countries. However, from the perspective of technology acquisition, research on farmers’ willingness to adopt AGP remains limited. Based on this, a survey was conducted on 862 households in major grain-producing counties in the Huang Huai Hai Plain of China with a reliable and effective response rate of 97.44%. The aim was to employ Probit and mediation models to empirically analyze the direct impacts of green perception benefits and environmental regulation intensity on farmers’ AGP willingness, and further examine the intrinsic mechanisms of technology acquisition. The results demonstrated that both green perception benefits and environmental regulation intensity significantly enhanced farmers’ willingness to engage in AGP, with green perception benefits having a greater influence. Among the two-dimensional variables, economic benefits had a stronger promoting effect than identity benefits, with a difference of 0.044 units, while subjective regulation intensity outperformed objective regulation intensity by 0.173 units. This suggested the need to strengthen the subjective impact of AGP policies in practice. Further analysis revealed that technology acquisition mediated 5.87% of the effect of green perception benefits on farmers’ AGP willingness, with acquisition evaluation having the greatest mediating effect, followed by acquisition quality and acquisition channels. However, although the overall environmental regulation intensity did not significantly impact farmers’ willingness to engage in AGP, its two-dimensional indicators played a mediating role to varying degrees. The findings in this study provide valuable empirical evidence for promoting AGP among grain producers, contributing to grain production security and the sustainable development of developing countries. Thus, implementing environmental regulatory policies tailored to local conditions, enhancing farmers’ economic awareness and sense of responsibility, and expanding farmers’ channels for technology acquisition are reasonable policy choices. Full article
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17 pages, 4926 KiB  
Article
Grade Indicators and Distribution Characteristics of Heat Damage to Summer Maize in the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain
by Qing Li, Peijuan Wang, Xin Li, Junxian Tang, Yang Li, Yuanda Zhang and Yuping Ma
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071545 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 392
Abstract
Heat damage is a major abiotic stress that affects maize yield and quality. Although the differential impacts of heat damage during various growth stages have been widely documented, the grade levels of heat damage at different growth stages remain insufficiently quantified. In this [...] Read more.
Heat damage is a major abiotic stress that affects maize yield and quality. Although the differential impacts of heat damage during various growth stages have been widely documented, the grade levels of heat damage at different growth stages remain insufficiently quantified. In this study, based on daily maximum temperature data and historical disaster records of heat damage from 1980 to 2023, we quantified the grade indicators for heat damage at different growth stages, using disaster inversion and the K-means clustering method. The results identified that the duration thresholds of mild, moderate, and severe heat damage at different growth stages of summer maize are 3–5 days, 6–8 days, and more than 8 days, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the total station ratio of heat damage of summer maize showed a fluctuating upward trend from 1980 to 2023, and the station ratio at different growth stages reached the highest value in 1988, 2002, 2019, 2022, 2013, and 1999, respectively. Additionally, mild heat damage during sowing to maturity stages was found to be more widely distributed spatially and mainly exhibited a slight increasing trend. This study can provide support for enhancing disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities against different levels of heat damage. Full article
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17 pages, 3331 KiB  
Article
Integrating WOFOST and Deep Learning for Winter Wheat Yield Estimation in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain
by Yachao Zhao, Xin Du, Jingyuan Xu, Qiangzi Li, Yuan Zhang, Hongyan Wang, Sifeng Yan, Shuguang Gong and Haoxuan Hu
Agriculture 2025, 15(12), 1257; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15121257 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 948
Abstract
The Huang-Huai-Hai Plain is one of China’s primary winter wheat production regions, making accurate yield estimation critical for agricultural decision-making and national food security. In this study, a yield estimation framework was developed by integrating Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 satellite data with the WOFOST [...] Read more.
The Huang-Huai-Hai Plain is one of China’s primary winter wheat production regions, making accurate yield estimation critical for agricultural decision-making and national food security. In this study, a yield estimation framework was developed by integrating Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 satellite data with the WOFOST crop growth model and deep learning techniques. Initially, a multi-scenario sample dataset was constructed using historical meteorological and agronomic data through the WOFOST model. Leaf Area Index (LAI) values were then derived from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery, and a GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit) neural network was trained on the simulation samples to establish a relationship between LAI and yield. This trained model was applied to the remote sensing-derived LAI to generate initial yield estimates. To enhance accuracy, the results were further corrected using county-level statistical data, producing a spatially explicit winter wheat yield dataset for the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain from 2014 to 2022. Validation against statistical yearbook data at the county level demonstrated a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.659, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 578.34 kg/ha, and a mean relative error (MRE) of 6.63%. These results indicate that the dataset provides reliable regional-scale yield estimates, offering valuable support for agricultural planning and policy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence and Digital Agriculture)
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29 pages, 20380 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Cropland-Related Soil Erosion in China over the Past Four Decades
by Yitian Xie, Tianyuan Zhang, Zhiqiang Zhang and Xudong Wu
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(9), 1611; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17091611 - 1 May 2025
Viewed by 735
Abstract
China’s croplands are facing serious threats from soil erosion, calling for long-term and spatially explicit assessment to safeguard food security and promote sustainable land use management. Yet limited attention has been directed to examining high-resolution spatial cropland-related soil erosion in China over an [...] Read more.
China’s croplands are facing serious threats from soil erosion, calling for long-term and spatially explicit assessment to safeguard food security and promote sustainable land use management. Yet limited attention has been directed to examining high-resolution spatial cropland-related soil erosion in China over an extended time span, especially across diverse agricultural regions and different crop types. Therefore, this study applied high-resolution remote sensing datasets to investigate the spatially explicit dynamics of crop-specific soil erosion in China from 1980 to 2018 at a 30 m resolution based on the RUSLE model. Our results showed slight erosion has consistently been the major erosion type over the past 40 years, which was primarily observed in northern areas as compared to high cropland soil erosion intensity found in southern regions. Severe erosion occurring in the Loess Plateau area was found to have decreased since 1980 due to the implementation of ecological conservation practices. While soil erosion acreage remained stable in most agricultural zones, a notable decrease was observed in the Yangtze River and Huang-Huai-Hai Plain Regions, and increases were found in the Northern Arid and Semi-arid Region and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Region. In addition, grains showed the highest erosion rates, whereas fiber crops were revealed with the lowest erosion rates. By unveiling the temporal-spatial evolution patterns of China’s crop-specific soil erosion together with a 30 m resolution dataset produced across a 40-year time span, this study is fully supportive of promoting soil and water conservation in sloping croplands and safeguarding stable food supply and sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Remote Sensing)
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19 pages, 11209 KiB  
Article
Response of the Stabilization of Organic Carbon to Straw Incorporation and Nitrogen Application: Evidence from Carbon Fractions and Bacterial Survival Strategies
by Shenglin Liu, Xiaodong Ding, Zeqiang Sun, Zhaohui Liu, Runxiang Du, Zhichang Jing and Shirong Zhang
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051034 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Despite the global imperative to enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural landscapes, saline–alkali soils present distinctive soil–microbe constraints that limit our understanding of optimal management strategies. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding the mechanistic relationships between bacterial community structure and carbon stabilization processes [...] Read more.
Despite the global imperative to enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural landscapes, saline–alkali soils present distinctive soil–microbe constraints that limit our understanding of optimal management strategies. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding the mechanistic relationships between bacterial community structure and carbon stabilization processes in saline–alkali soil. A three-year field experiment was conducted in the Yellow River Delta, China, with two N levels (N1, 270 kg N ha−1; N2, 210 kg N ha−1) and three C treatments (S0, 0 kg C ha−1; S1, 5000 kg C ha−1; S2, 10,000 kg C ha−1). SOC sequestration by straw incorporation increased by 16.34–22.86% and 8.18–11.91%, with no significant difference between the S1 and S2 treatments, because the specific C mineralization rate (SCMR) of the S2 treatment was 13.80–41.61% higher than the S1 treatment. The reduced nitrogen application (N2) enhanced SOC sequestration efficiency by 3.40–12.97% compared with conventional rates, particularly when combined with half straw incorporation. Furthermore, compared with the N1S1 treatment, the N2S1 treatment induced qualitative transformations in carbon chemistry, increasing aromatic carbon compounds (28.79%) while reducing carboxylic fractions (10.06%), resulting in enhanced structural stability of sequestered carbon. Bacterial community analysis revealed distinctive shifts in bacterial composition under different treatments. Half straw incorporation (S1) increased the abundance of oligotrophic strategists (Verrucomicrobiae and Acidimicrobiia) while decreasing copiotrophic bacteria (Bacteroidia), indicating a transition from r-strategy to k-strategy microbial communities that fundamentally altered carbon cycling. Half straw incorporation and reduced N application were beneficial to stabilize SOC composition, reduce mineralization rates, optimize bacterial survival strategy, and thus achieve SOC sequestration. Full article
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25 pages, 11517 KiB  
Article
Mapping and Analyzing Winter Wheat Yields in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain: A Climate-Independent Perspective
by Yachao Zhao, Xin Du, Qiangzi Li, Yuan Zhang, Hongyan Wang, Yunzheng Wang, Jingyuan Xu, Jing Xiao, Yunqi Shen, Yong Dong, Haoxuan Hu, Sifeng Yan and Shuguang Gong
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(8), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17081409 - 16 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 734
Abstract
Accurate diagnostics of crop yields are essential for climate-resilient agricultural planning; however, conventional datasets often conflate environmental covariates during model training. Here, we present HHHWheatYield1km, a 1 km resolution winter wheat yield dataset for China’s Huang-Huai-Hai Plain spanning 2000–2019. By integrating climate-independent multi-source [...] Read more.
Accurate diagnostics of crop yields are essential for climate-resilient agricultural planning; however, conventional datasets often conflate environmental covariates during model training. Here, we present HHHWheatYield1km, a 1 km resolution winter wheat yield dataset for China’s Huang-Huai-Hai Plain spanning 2000–2019. By integrating climate-independent multi-source remote sensing metrics with a Random Forest model, calibrated against municipal statistical yearbooks, the dataset exhibits strong agreement with county-level records (R = 0.90, RMSE = 542.47 kg/ha, MRE = 9.09%), ensuring independence from climatic influences for robust driver analysis. Using Geodetector, we reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in climate–yield interactions, highlighting distinct regional disparities: precipitation variability exerts the strongest constraints on yields in Henan and Anhui, whereas Shandong and Jiangsu exhibit weaker climatic dependencies. In Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, March temperature emerges as a critical determinant of yield variability. These findings underscore the need for tailored adaptation strategies, such as enhancing water-use efficiency in inland provinces and optimizing agronomic practices in coastal regions. With its dual ability to resolve pixel-scale yield dynamics and disentangle climatic drivers, HHHWheatYield1km represents a resource for precision agriculture and evidence-based policymaking in the face of a changing climate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Vegetation)
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12 pages, 1049 KiB  
Article
The Application of Slow-Release Nitrogen Combined with Soil Conditioner Under the Impact of Alkaline Salinity in Alfalfa Cultivation and Soil Improvement
by Ping Liu, Bo Wu, Zichao Zhao, Guoliang Wang and Zhaohui Liu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040923 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 512
Abstract
Water-based resin-coated controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) is valued for its safety, environmental benefits, and water absorption/retention properties. To improve the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the soil quality in coastal saline–alkali land at the Yellow River Delta, in this work, we [...] Read more.
Water-based resin-coated controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) is valued for its safety, environmental benefits, and water absorption/retention properties. To improve the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the soil quality in coastal saline–alkali land at the Yellow River Delta, in this work, we carried out field experiments to study how the application of CRF (water-based resin-coated urea) and soil conditioner, both developed in-house, affected the alfalfa harvest and the soil properties. The following five treatments were tested from 2022 to 2023: T0, no fertilization; T1, urea with P&K fertilizers; T2, CRF with P&K fertilizers; T3, urea, P&K fertilizers, and soil conditioner; T4, CRF, P&K fertilizers, and soil conditioner. The results showed that the simultaneous application of CRF and soil conditioner (i.e., T4) had the most obvious effect on improving the yield and quality of alfalfa. In 2022, T4 had 6.3% higher total alfalfa yield than T0. In 2023, T4 had 14.2% and 8.4% higher total alfalfa yield than T0 and T1, respectively. The alfalfa from T4 had higher crude protein content and relative feeding value (RFV), lower acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. The combined application of CRF and soil conditioner reduced the salinity of the surface soil and increased the soil organic matter, available nitrogen, and phosphorus at the 0~40 cm layer. Therefore, the application of soil conditioner and CRF can improve the use of coastal saline–alkali land for the cultivation of alfalfa. Full article
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20 pages, 2569 KiB  
Article
Straw Incorporation and Nitrogen Fertilization Enhance Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration by Promoting Aggregate Stability and Iron Oxide Transformation
by Zhichang Jing, Shirong Zhang, Zeqiang Sun, Zhaohui Liu, Shenglin Liu and Xiaodong Ding
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040871 - 30 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 752
Abstract
Soil barrenness and a poor stability of organic carbon are important factors restricting sustainable agricultural development. The effects of straw incorporation and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC) functional groups, iron (Fe) oxides, and SOC sequestration were evaluated in [...] Read more.
Soil barrenness and a poor stability of organic carbon are important factors restricting sustainable agricultural development. The effects of straw incorporation and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC) functional groups, iron (Fe) oxides, and SOC sequestration were evaluated in saline–alkali soil. In this study, we established six treatments involving the combined addition of straw and N in saline–alkali soil in the Yellow River Delta, China, to investigate the changes in SOC. A field experiment was conducted with two N levels (N1, 270 kg N ha−1; N2, 210 kg N ha−1) and three C treatments (S0, 0 kg ha−1; S1, 5000 kg ha−1; S2, 10,000 kg ha−1). Compared with S0 treatments, straw incorporation and N application significantly increased the proportion of small macro-aggregates, and the mean weight diameter (MWD) was increased by 8.3–18.6%. Under the N2 treatment, with an increase in straw incorporation, the contents of organically complexed Fe oxides (Fep), especially small macro-aggregates and micro-aggregates, increased significantly. Meanwhile, polysaccharides-C and aromatic-C were mainly distributed in small macro-aggregates, forming aromatic Fe complexes with Fep and remaining at the aggregate interface. Compared with the N1S0 treatment, SOC storage increased by 3.94% and 5.12% in the N2S1 and N2S2 treatments, respectively. This could primarily be attributed to an improvement in soil structure, the optimization of OC functional group composition, and the formation of organo-Fe complexes. Straw incorporation and N application were optimal management measures and improved C stability and sequestration capacity. A halved straw incorporation and a reduced N application were the best treatment options for saline–alkali soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience)
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16 pages, 5891 KiB  
Article
Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on the Lodging Resistance Traits, Yield, and Quality of Two Gluten Types of Wheat
by Xueling Hu, Peiyu Tian, Wen Fu, Zhihao Tian, Mengdi Du, Zhishang Chang, Youliang Ye, Xiangping Meng and Yang Wang
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060637 - 18 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2561
Abstract
The Huang–Huai–Hai Plain is a primary wheat production base in China, where lodging remains a critical constraint limiting yield improvement and quality enhancement. Both nitrogen application and wheat varieties are key factors influencing crop lodging resistance. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the [...] Read more.
The Huang–Huai–Hai Plain is a primary wheat production base in China, where lodging remains a critical constraint limiting yield improvement and quality enhancement. Both nitrogen application and wheat varieties are key factors influencing crop lodging resistance. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the differential responses of wheat varieties with distinct gluten properties to nitrogen fertilization gradients and elucidated the physiological mechanisms underlying the nitrogen-mediated regulation of lodging resistance in gluten-type wheat. A two-year field experiment was conducted in Xuchang City, Henan Province, from 2019 to 2021. The experimental design incorporated four varieties of wheat (two medium-gluten wheat varieties, YM49-198 and JM325, and two strong-gluten wheat varieties, XN979 and JM44) and five nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels: 0 kg·ha−1 (N0), 120 kg·ha−1 (N120), 180 kg·ha−1 (N180), 240 kg·ha−1 (N240), and 360 kg·ha−1 (N360). Each treatment was repeated three times, and each plot was completely randomly arranged in the field. An appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased the wheat yield, with the 240 kg ha−1 treatment achieving maximum yields for YM49-198, JM325, and JM44 from 2020 to 2021, but not for XN979. Quality parameters were significantly affected by varieties and nitrogen fertilizer levels. The results showed that the crude protein contents of XN979 and JM44 were 15.13% and 18.06%, respectively, under the N240 treatment; the lodging resistance index of the medium-gluten wheat was higher than that of the strong-gluten wheat. Under the N240 treatment in 2020–2021, the lodging resistance indexes of YM49-198, JM325, XN979, and JM44 were 12.2, 13.9, 7.9, and 11.7, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer can increase wheat yield and ensure quality, but excessive application can decrease these factors and intensify lodging risk. The lodging index of the medium-gluten wheat was more sensitive to the amount of nitrogen fertilizer. When the nitrogen application is 240 kg·ha−1, the quality indicators of medium- and strong-gluten wheat should meet standards, and the yield will be stable in the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain. These findings highlight the importance of adopting precision nitrogen management strategies and gluten-type-specific cultivation practices in wheat production systems. This could effectively balance yield stability, quality optimization, and lodging risk mitigation to ensure the sustainable intensification of wheat cultivation in the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain and similar agro-ecological regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
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20 pages, 11261 KiB  
Article
Subsoiling Before Wheat Sowing Enhances Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Maize in Dryland Winter Wheat and Summer Maize Double Cropping System Under One-Off Irrigation Practice During the Wheat Season
by Yanmin Peng, Kainan Zhao, Jun Zhang, Kaiming Ren, Junhao Zhang, Jinhua Guo, Rongrong Wang, Huishu Xiao, Peipei Jiang, Ninglu Xu, Ming Huang, Jinzhi Wu and Youjun Li
Plants 2025, 14(5), 738; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050738 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 721
Abstract
The winter wheat and summer maize double cropping system is the primary cropping pattern for wheat and maize in dryland areas of China. The management of tillage in this system is typically conducted before wheat sowing. However, few studies have validated and quantified [...] Read more.
The winter wheat and summer maize double cropping system is the primary cropping pattern for wheat and maize in dryland areas of China. The management of tillage in this system is typically conducted before wheat sowing. However, few studies have validated and quantified the impact of tillage methods before wheat sowing and irrigation practices during the wheat season on the yield formation and water use efficiency of summer maize. Therefore, this study hypothesized that subsoiling before wheat sowing improves maize yield and WUE by enhancing soil moisture retention and plant development. A three-year field experiment with a two-factor split-plot design was conducted at the junction of the Loess Plateau and the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in China for validation, from 2019 to 2022. Three tillage methods before wheat sowing (RT: rotary tillage; PT: plowing, SS: subsoiling) were assigned to the main plots, and two irrigation practices during wheat growing season (W0: zero-irrigation; W1: one-off irrigation) were assigned to subplots. We measured the soil moisture, grain yield, dry matter accumulation, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) accumulation, and water use efficiency of summer maize. The results indicated that subsoiling before wheat sowing increased soil water storage at the sowing of summer maize, thereby promoting dry matter and nutrient accumulation. Compared to rotary tillage and plowing, subsoiling before wheat sowing increased grain yield and water use efficiency of maize by an average of 19.5% and 21.8%, respectively. One-off irrigation during the wheat season had negative effects on pre-sowing soil water storage and maize productivity in terms of yield and dry matter accumulation. However, subsoiling before wheat sowing can mitigate these negative effects of one-off irrigation. Correlation analysis and path model results indicated that tillage methods before wheat sowing had a greater impact on soil water storage and maize productivity than irrigation practices during wheat growing season. The most direct factor affecting maize yield was dry matter accumulation, whereas the most direct factor affecting water use efficiency was nutrient accumulation. The technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) comprehensive evaluation indicated that subsoiling before wheat sowing was superior for achieving high maize yield and water use efficiency under the practice of one-off irrigation during the wheat season. These findings offer practical guidance for optimizing soil water use and maize productivity in drylands. Full article
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14 pages, 1035 KiB  
Article
Background Values of Soil Heavy Metals in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in Henan Province, China
by Yuling Jiang, Jianhua Ma, Yuanbo Wang and Yahan Yang
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020093 - 26 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 946
Abstract
Due to the continuous lack of specific background values (BVs) for soil heavy metals in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in Henan province (HPHP), many researchers have used soil heavy BVs specific to Henan Province (HP) or Fluvisols of China (FC) as reference criteria to [...] Read more.
Due to the continuous lack of specific background values (BVs) for soil heavy metals in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in Henan province (HPHP), many researchers have used soil heavy BVs specific to Henan Province (HP) or Fluvisols of China (FC) as reference criteria to assess soil heavy metal pollution. However, spatial differences in the soil heavy metal BVs between HPHP, HP, and FC, as well as within the HPHP, remain uncertain, affecting the reliability of evaluation results. A total of 897 surface soil samples were collected from the HPHP, with 336 and 561 samples collected from the southern and northern parts of the Shaying River, respectively. According to the obtained results, the BVs of soil Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni in the HPHP were 0.064, 6.67, 0.129, 53.24, 19.67, 22.87, 64.00, and 26.25 mg·kg−1, respectively. The BVs of soil Hg and Cd were higher than those in HP, Fluvisols in Henan Province, and FC, showing strong and extremely strong levels. The BVs of other soil heavy metals exhibited slight differences from the reference BVs. On the other hand, the BVs of soil Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni were 0.066, 4.11, 0.130, 56.72, 20.97, 23.31, 59.21, and 24.03 mg·kg−1 in the southern part and 0.061, 7.45, 0.129, 51.92, 18.96, 22.72, 66.96, and 27.16 mg·kg−1 in the northern part of the Shaying River, respectively. In addition, there were no significant differences in the Hg and Cd BVs between the two parts. Cu BVs in the southern part were significantly higher than those observed in the northern part, while the As, Zn, and Ni BVs in the northern part were significantly higher than those revealed in the southern part. In contrast, the Cr and Pb BVs in the northern part were significantly lower than those observed in the southern part. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment and Remediation of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil)
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