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Crocus sativus L. (saffron), commonly known as “red gold,” is among the most valuable spices worldwide and has gained increasing attention as a high-value crop for small-scale farming systems. However, its production potential in the southern United States remains largely unexplored. This study evaluated saffron as an alternative specialty crop in Georgia by assessing the effects of planting date (early September vs. late October) and production system (open field vs. low plastic tunnel) on saffron yield during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons at the Rodale Institute Southeast Organic Center. Simple postharvest stigma drying methods, including oven and microwave drying, were also evaluated descriptively for small-scale production. In 2023, a total of 1907 flowers were harvested, yielding 59.61 g of fresh stigma, whereas production declined in 2024 to 961 flowers and 22.89 g of fresh stigma. Year had a significant effect on yield, while planting date and production system did not show consistent main effects. A significant interaction between year and planting date indicated that saffron performance was influenced by year-specific growing conditions and management-related constraints, with early planting improving plant establishment. Stigma yield was limited for quality analysis; therefore, samples were composited, preventing valid inferential statistical comparisons for drying-method effects. Descriptively, concentrations of key apocarotenoids—crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal—were generally higher in 2024, with crocin values reaching up to 62.34. Higher-temperature drying (e.g., 100 °C) offered practical advantages due to substantially reduced drying time compared with lower-temperature (60 °C) or microwave drying; however, further replicated quality analysis is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn regarding drying-method effects. Overall, saffron production was feasible under humid subtropical conditions, but yield stability depended on stand establishment, soil fertility management, and year-specific growing conditions. These findings highlight the importance of integrated management of planting time, corm quality, production system, soil fertility, and postharvest processing for optimizing saffron production in emerging regions; however, larger-scale and long-term studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions. Full article

To address issues such as plastic film residue and poor seed depth stability during cotton sowing operations in Xinjiang, a new type of no-till cotton seeder has been proposed and designed. The seeder is mainly composed of a rotary tillage device, a furrow opener and fertilizing device, a sowing mechanism, a compaction mechanism, and mechanical transmission parts. The structure and working principle of the cotton seeder are expounded on; the key parts, such as the rotary tillage mechanism, furrow opener, and compaction system are analyzed; and the key factors of the best size of each part are determined. The single-factor simulation design was carried out using the EDEM discrete element simulation technology, with the machine’s forward speed, rotary tillage speed, furrow opening depth, and compaction depth as the test conditions and the sowing quality as the evaluation standard. The corresponding mechanical model was established and determined the optimal combination of simulation parameters. To evaluate the performance of the cotton no-tillage seeder, field tests were conducted on its rotary tillage, tape laying, and seed press performance. The field experiment’s results indicate that under the optimal simulated parameter combination, the actual planting depth was approximately 28 mm with a coefficient of variation of 12.26%, achieving a compliance rate of 93.3%; the average planting spacing was 64.05 mm with a coefficient of variation of 12.46%; the soil disturbance rate was 32.9%; the germination rate was 96%; and the seed drying rate was below 2%. These results comply with industry standards and agronomic requirements, providing technical support for ensuring the quality of no-till cotton cultivation. Full article

Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer underpins global cereal production, yet a substantial share of applied nitrogen escapes to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide, ammonia, and nitrogen oxides, with significant consequences for climate, air quality, ecosystems, and soil health. Despite extensive research on nitrogen losses and mitigation options, no synthesis has traced the historical intensification of cereal nitrogen use, current emission patterns, and the technological and policy responses to these losses as a single connected trajectory. This review provides that integrated synthesis. This review adopts a gloom-to-glory framing to trace nitrogen fertilizer use in cereal systems from its Green Revolution origins through current emission trends to the technological and policy responses now being deployed, treating these as a single continuous narrative rather than separate bodies of literature. Global nitrogen application in maize, wheat, and rice rose roughly tenfold between 1961 and 2010, and more than half of applied nitrogen across this period was never recovered in harvested grain. This unrecovered fraction partitions across mechanistically distinct loss pathways, i.e., nitrous oxide from soil nitrification and denitrification, ammonia from urea hydrolysis and volatilization, and indirect losses from residual soil nitrate, each carrying separate climate, air quality, and ecosystem consequences. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, precision nitrogen management, renewable hydrogen-based ammonia synthesis, and biologically mediated approaches such as nitrification inhibition each demonstrate mitigation potential without compromising yield, though field-scale evidence for the biological route remains limited. Regional case studies from China, India, and the European Union show that national policy has altered nitrogen use trajectories without closing the gap to demonstrated best-practice potential, for reasons specific to each jurisdiction’s regulatory design, price structure, and institutional capacity. The review concludes that the principal barriers to realising cereal production’s glory pathway are no longer primarily mechanistic but lie in measurement coverage, technology transfer to smallholder and developing-region producers, and the economic architecture needed to scale proven mitigation measures across cereal-growing regions. Full article

The resource utilization of distillers’ grain-derived organic fertilizer is of significant importance for promoting green production of sorghum in Maotai-flavor Baijiu-producing regions and for soil and water conservation on sloping croplands. To determine its appropriate application rate and to clarify its synergistic effects on sorghum growth, soil properties, and soil loss, a runoff-plot experiment was conducted on typical sloping farmland in Renhuai, Guizhou Province. A no-fertilization control (CK) and gradient treatments of distillers’ grain organic fertilizer ranging from 1500 to 10,500 kg ha⁻¹ were established. Responses of sorghum growth, yield components, soil physicochemical properties, aggregate composition, and soil loss were evaluated, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to elucidate the pathways regulating soil erosion. The results demonstrated a pronounced dose–response relationship between distillers’ grain organic fertilizer application and sorghum growth and yield formation. The treatment receiving 6000 kg ha⁻¹ of distillers’ grain organic fertilizer exhibited superior performance in plant height, stem diameter, dry weight per plant, grain dry weight per panicle, and root development. Notably, grain dry weight per panicle and root biomass increased by 307.4% and 130.8%, respectively, compared with CK. Fertilization increased soil organic matter content in the 0–10 cm soil layer and altered the particle size distribution of soil aggregates. Except for the 1500 kg ha⁻¹ treatment, all fertilization treatments reduced total soil loss during the monitoring period. The treatment receiving 9000 kg ha⁻¹ achieved the greatest reduction, decreasing soil loss by 43.8% relative to CK, while the treatment receiving 6000 kg ha⁻¹ reduced soil loss by 38.8%. PLS-SEM results indicated that both root development and yield components were significantly negatively correlated with soil loss. However, the direct effect of fertilization on soil loss was not significant, suggesting that distillers’ grain organic fertilizer primarily reduces erosion risk indirectly by improving soil properties and promoting root development and yield formation. Overall, an application rate of 6000 kg ha⁻¹ of distillers’ grain organic fertilizer for sorghum cultivation on sloping cropland under the conditions of this experiment. Full article

Phosphorus (P) fixation in in-dyke alluvial soils can limit maize productivity and reduce P fertilizer-use efficiency. This study evaluated whether P-solubilizing purple nonsulfur bacteria (PNSB), comprising Rhodopseudomonas palustris VNW64, VNS89, TLS06, and VNW02, could improve soil P dynamics, P uptake, growth, and yield of hybrid maize. A pot experiment using soil from Chau Phu commune, An Giang province, Vietnam, was arranged in a randomized complete block design with ten treatments and four replicates. Treatments combined recommended N and K fertilization with 100, 75, 50, or 25% of the recommended P rate, with or without PNSB, plus unfertilized controls. PNSB supplementation increased soil pH, NH₄⁺ concentration, and soluble P content, while reducing insoluble Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P fractions. Inoculated treatments also enhanced P uptake, biomass accumulation, growth traits, SPAD index, yield components, and grain yield compared with the corresponding non-inoculated treatments. Applying 75% of the recommended P rate with PNSB produced higher grain yield and P uptake than full P fertilization without PNSB. Thus, R. palustris VNW64, VNS89, TLS06, and VNW02 can reduce chemical P fertilizer input by 25% while sustaining or improving hybrid maize performance in in-dyke alluvial soil. Full article

Sustainable agriculture, particularly efficient nitrogen management, is essential for maintaining soil fertility, improving crop quality, and reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production. This study evaluated the effects of reduced soil-applied nitrogen and foliar application of the nitrogen–sulfur fertilizer Nitron-S on the quality of silage maize (Zea mays L.). A field experiment was conducted using a single-factor design with four fertilization treatments differing in nitrogen supply and foliar fertilization intensity. The silage maize cultivar Farmmortiz was grown under uniform manure application (30 t ha⁻¹) applied in autumn. The control treatment received the full soil-applied nitrogen rate, whereas experimental treatments received 50% of the conventional nitrogen dose supplemented with foliar Nitron-S at doses of 20, 40, and 60 dm³ ha^-1, applied twice during the growing season. After harvest, plant yield and selected quality parameters were determined, including dry matter, crude protein, sugars, starch, ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), ammonia fraction, and organic matter digestibility (VOS). Fertilization treatments significantly affected most quality traits. The highest Nitron-S rate increased starch concentration (up to approximately 30% under N4) but also elevated ADL content (by about 25%) and slightly reduced VOS (only by about 1–3%. Partial replacement of soil-applied nitrogen with foliar nitrogen–sulfur fertilization improved the nutritional quality of maize silage and reduced nitrogen input. This approach may contribute to more sustainable maize production. Full article

The degradation of agricultural soils and the low efficiency of conventional fertilizers pose significant challenges to sustainable agricultural production. In this context, nanobiofertilizers have emerged as a promising alternative for increasing nutrient availability and improving early plant development. This study evaluated the effect of a zinc oxide nanobiofertilizer (NBF-ZnO) synthesized via a green route using Mangifera indica leaf extract on the germination and early growth of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy to confirm their structural and optical properties. Subsequently, germination and early growth trials were conducted under four treatments: control, mango extract, conventional fertilizer (Triple 15), and NBF-ZnO, using soil affected by mining activities in the department of Cesar (Colombia). The results showed that the NBF-ZnO treatment achieved the highest germination (93%) and seedling growth (92.5%), outperforming the conventional fertilizer and the other treatments. Statistical analysis using the chi-square test confirmed significant differences between treatments (α = 0.05). These findings suggest that ZnO nanobiofertilizers obtained through green synthesis could represent a promising strategy for enhancing early maize development and contributing to the sustainable management of soils affected by mining activity. Full article

To address low seeding accuracy and poor seed-fertilization coordination caused by wheel slip and vibration in undulating terrains, a model 2BJD-4 precision corn planter featuring an independent electric-drive transmission was developed. The planter integrates furrow opening, fertilization, single-seed precision metering, soil covering, and compaction into a coordinated one-pass operation. Key mechanical assemblies include a servo-motor-driven finger-clamp seed meter, a parallel four-bar terrain-following mechanism, and an external fluted-roller fertilization meter. To capture complex non-linear soil-tool interactions, a predictive surrogate model was established using Support Vector Regression (SVR) and coupled with the Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO) for global parameter optimization. Comprehensive field trials validated that the SVR-DBO framework outperformed traditional Response Surface Methodology, securing an optimal qualified spacing index of 92.8% and a planting depth qualification rate of 93.0% under experimental conditions. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of the proposed design in maintaining seed spacing and depth uniformity under tested topographies, offering a practical reference for the development of precision planters in hilly and plain regions. Full article

Ploughing constitutes a fundamental tillage practice for enhancing soil fertility as well as water and fertilizer utilization efficiency. The uniformity of tillage depth directly determines seedling emergence consistency and final crop yield. Conventional indirect tillage depth detection approaches based solely on the rotation angle of the tractor lift arm are susceptible to disturbances induced by uneven terrain and dynamic attitude fluctuations of the tractor-implement system. To compensate for disturbances induced by tractor pitch angle variations, existing pitch compensation models adopt cascaded output compensation to calculate tillage depth. Nevertheless, these models need recalibration after each modification to the three-point hitch linkage length and are incapable of simultaneously compensating for pitch variations in the tractor and attached implement. To reduce the sensitivity of the tillage depth model to structural changes in the three-point hitch, this work constructs a mapping between hitch structural geometric deviations and vertical projection offsets of key linkages via tractor–plough integrated distributed attitude sensing. In this paper, a distributed tillage depth model is developed, which takes the distributed attitude of the whole working unit and the pitch of the lower-link measured by a rotation angle sensor as independent input variables. Field validation was performed with a mounted moldboard plough, with ultrasonic ranging sensor tillage depth readings serving as the reference benchmark to assess the reliability and precision of the proposed distributed model. Experimental results show that compared with the pitch angle cascaded tillage depth model, the average root mean square error of the proposed method is reduced from 22.5 mm to 12.5 mm on bumpy fields and from 11.3 mm to 8.7 mm on flat fields. The distributed model can significantly improve the measurement accuracy and anti-interference capability of tillage depth detection on uneven farmland, and it is applicable to adaptive measurement and control of tillage depth in complex ploughing scenarios. Full article

Clarifying SOC sequestration via physical and microbial processes is key for improving farmland fertility, yet the relative contributions of agronomic practices to carbon fractions and aggregate sizes remain unclear. This study (2010–2019, rice–wheat rotation, Funiu Mountain eastern plain, central China) examined tillage and organic amendment effects on SOC dynamics and underlying mechanisms across aggregate sizes under six treatments (conventional/reduced tillage with no fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, or organic manure). SOC, particulate organic carbon (POC), and mineral-incorporated organic carbon (MOC) were measured in bulk soil and water-stable aggregates (>2000, 250–2000, 53–250, <53 μm), and physical fractionation and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis were conducted to assess interactions among aggregates, carbon quality, and microbial communities. Results showed that, compared with conventional tillage without fertilization, both conventional tillage and reduced tillage with organic manure significantly increased bulk SOC by 92–122% and macroaggregate (>250 μm) mass by 15–110%. The combined application of organic manure and reduced tillage redirected SOC from micro- to macroaggregates. Moreover, POC and MOC were the primary contributors to bulk SOC, with POC showing a strong direct effect on SOC accumulation. Furthermore, a positive priming effect was detected exclusively in macroaggregates, identifying them as key sites for SOC turnover and confirming that optimized tillage with manure shifts aggregates to larger sizes and boosts SOC through physical protection. The micro-to-macro cascade offers a robust framework for SOC dynamics, and its persistence under diverse climates warrants future research for sustainable management. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a key crop in China grown as a source of edible oil and plant-derived protein, and its production is closely linked to national food security. Insufficient nitrogen availability remains a key constraint on soybean yield. In legumes, symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) enables the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and improving soil quality. Nitrogenase activity is a central determinant of SNF efficiency; however, its regulatory mechanisms in soybean nodules are not yet fully understood. In this study, transcriptomic data from two soybean accessions with contrasting SNF performance (Suinong 14 and ZYD00006) were analyzed, leading to the identification of Glyma.04G013500 as a member of the GmRD22 gene family. This study verified that this gene is potentially associated with nitrogenase activity. Functional characterization revealed that this gene acts as a negative regulator of nodulation by influencing the expression of genes associated with nodule development. Haplotype analysis further uncovered a pattern consistent with domestication, as the elite haplotype (HapI) with enhanced nitrogen fixation capacity, exhibited a progressive increase in frequency from wild soybean populations to landraces and modern cultivars. These findings suggest that GmRD22 has undergone directional selection during soybean domestication and improvement. Overall, these results offer new insights into the genetic control of SNF and establish promising targets for breeding soybean varieties with improved nitrogen fixation efficiency. Full article

Soil erosion on sloping farmland impairs cultivated land quality, food security, and watershed ecological sustainability across China. Vegetation serves as a core erosion buffer, yet how nitrogen–phosphorus (N-P) stoichiometry shapes coordinated maize growth to regulate multi-stage runoff–sediment coupling remains underexplored. This study reveals the complete mechanistic chain linking N-P ratios, crop growth synchrony, and hillslope erosion dynamics via 60 mm·h⁻¹ simulated rainfall experiments at three key summer maize stages, with six N/P gradients (0–3.75) in an eastern China brown soil zone. An N/P ratio of 2 optimized maize biomass, canopy cover, and root soil-binding capacity, yielding the lowest sediment concentrations. Excess nitrogen (N/P = 3.75) triggered spindly, mechanically weak maize growth, elevating runoff volume and sustaining high-variability sediment transport. High-frequency runoff–sediment signals maintained a consistent positive correlation, while mid/low-frequency components decoupled under imbalanced N-P supply. Moderate balanced N-P fertilization (N/P = 1–2) stabilized hillslope hydrological-erosion processes throughout the growing cycle, whereas surplus nitrogen induced asynchronous erosion responses. This research delivers quantitative evidence for coordinated high-yield and erosion-control nutrient management. Full article

Film-mulched drip irrigation (FMDI) is used increasingly for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in arid regions. However, salts often accumulate in the soil, eventually leading to soil salinization and crop failure when using FMDI with brackish water inappropriately. Evaluation of the leaching requirement (LR) for cotton under FMDI with brackish water that comprehensively considers cotton yield, water saving, soil conditions, and economic benefits needs to be investigated more completely. The present study compared the cotton growth for different leaching fractions (LF) under FMDI with brackish water and provides comprehensive analysis of LR for cotton and its relationships with soil conditions. A higher LF was related to a lower cotton yield when the LF was larger than 0.15. Moreover, a larger LF led to a lower ratio of reproductive growth and irrigation water productivity when the LF was larger than 0.2. A high soil water content (SWC) strip was observed in the 40–60 cm soil layers for all scenarios. Moreover, a higher SWC proportion in the deeper soil layers as for LF_0.15 or LF_0.2 may also be beneficial to cotton growth. Soil salinity decreased with decreases in irrigation water quantity when the LF was lower than 0.2, but increased when the LF was higher than 0.2. Either too much or too little irrigation water was not beneficial from an economic perspective. Our study indicated that the LR values between 0.05 and 0.15 were recommended for FMDI when the total dissolved solids for brackish water is within 1.61–3.21 g L⁻¹. Integrated strategies, including optimized irrigation-fertilizer management, groundwater depth monitoring, and halophyte intercropping, are required to sustain production while mitigating secondary salinization and groundwater pollution under FMDI with brackish water. Full article

To address the challenges of excessive water and fertilizer application, declining soil fertility, and suboptimal maize yields in the oasis irrigation areas of Northwest China, a two-year (2024–2025) field experiment was conducted. Three irrigation levels were implemented: a 30% reduction (W1: 3575 m³·ha⁻¹), a 15% reduction (W2: 4335 m³·ha⁻¹), and conventional irrigation (W3: 5100 m³·ha⁻¹). Nitrogen management comprised three strategies: 30% organic substitution (N3), 15% organic substitution (N2), and full chemical nitrogen fertilizer (N1). Statistical approaches, including correlation analysis and the CRITIC-AHP-VIKOR comprehensive evaluation model, were applied. The results indicated that ear length differed significantly among treatments, with the longest ears observed in W2N2 and W3N2 (17.39–17.68 cm) and the shortest in W1N1 (14.52 cm). Under W2 conditions, the kernel number per ear in N2 was 1.73% higher than that in N3, whereas under W1 conditions, N2 showed a 0.21% reduction compared to N3. The 100-kernel weight varied minimally, ranging from 32.04 to 40.70 g, with no significant difference between W2N2 and W3N3. Among all treatments, W2N2 produced the greatest yield, exceeding those of W3N3 and W2N3 by 6.07% and 5.96%, respectively. During the two experiments years, this treatment also promoted the accumulation of soil carbon and nitrogen in the 0–20 cm layer, increasing soil organic matter by 22.34–118.15% and total nitrogen by 5.62–40.45%. In contrast, grain quality parameters, including crude protein, crude starch, and crude fat contents, did not differ significantly between W2N2 and W3N3. Moreover, W2N2 achieved an irrigation water use efficiency of 4.41 kg·m⁻³, which was significantly greater than that under W1N2, while nitrogen use efficiency was improved by 42.57%. Correlation analysis revealed that maize yield is significantly positively correlated with soil carbon and nitrogen pools, grain quality indicators, and nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity, whereas quality parameters were positively correlated with irrigation water use efficiency, though not significantly. The CRITIC-AHP-VIKOR model identified that the comprehensive strategy of 15% irrigation reduction combined with 15% organic nitrogen substitution synergistically enhances maize yield, maintains soil carbon and nitrogen pools, and improves water–nitrogen use efficiency. These results provide a theoretical basis for promoting sustainable maize cultivation in arid irrigated areas characterized by limited water and nitrogen availability. Full article

Identifying the main drivers of soil CO₂ emissions in tropical agroecosystems is essential for balancing productivity and climate mitigation. This study evaluated the effects of crop type, irrigation, phenological stage, fertilization, soil cover condition, and season on total soil respiration in a humid marshland system in Rwanda using a two-season field experiment. Five crops (maize, soybean, common bean, Irish potato, and Brachiaria) were grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions, and total soil CO₂ emissions were measured across 19 sampling campaigns in both crop-covered and adjacent non-vegetated conditions in all plots using the closed static chamber method. Crop type and growth stage were the dominant drivers of soil CO₂ emissions (p < 0.001), while irrigation had no significant direct effect despite increasing yields (p < 0.001). As a result, irrigation reduced yield-scaled CO₂ emissions for beans and Irish potato (p < 0.05). Brachiaria showed higher emissions, particularly during the development stage, but its high biomass led to lower emissions per unit yield. Fertilization significantly increased total soil respiration (p < 0.001), and emissions were higher under crop-covered soil than non-vegetated soil conditions (p < 0.001). Season did not significantly affect soil CO₂ emissions (p = 0.123), and similar emission patterns were observed across the two cropping seasons. Because the measurements represented total soil respiration, the observed differences reflect the combined contributions of autotrophic (root) and heterotrophic (microbial) respiration and do not distinguish between these individual components. These findings indicate that crop traits, plant developmental stage, vegetation cover, and nutrient inputs are the primary factors associated with variation in total soil CO₂ emissions under moisture-sufficient tropical conditions and highlight the importance of biological drivers in regulating carbon dynamics in marshland agroecosystems. Full article