Search Results (52)

In arid areas, the combined use of plastic sheeting under gravel-sand mulch on ridge-furrow planting systems is an emerging practice to minimize soil water evaporation and micro-plastic pollution. In this study, we conducted a two-year field experiment near Gobi-Tengger Desert in Ningxia, China, to evaluate the effects of a plastic film underneath a layer of pure sand (MS1), pure gravel (MS2) and mixed gravel-and-sand (MS3) mulch on the soil hydrothermal properties, water use efficiency, yield, and fruit quality of wolfberry, compared to bare soil (CK). The results showed that mulching significantly increased soil temperature and water content in the 0–20 cm surface layer, though the effects varied with soil depth and water availability between a supplemental irrigated year (2022) and a rain-fed year (2023). Mulching markedly altered soil water dynamics, enhancing the capture and retention of light-to-heavy rainfall events. Consequently, all mulches significantly increased seasonal water consumption (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) compared to CK. The MS1 treatment consistently achieved the highest yield and WUE, and the highest accumulation of beneficial fruit compounds like polysaccharides and flavonoids. However, this treatment also resulted in elevated soil salinity. Our findings demonstrate that combined mulching, especially MS1, is a highly effective strategy for optimizing soil conditions, water productivity, and fruit quality in wolfberry cultivation, although long-term salinity management requires attention. Full article

Using a maize planting system with full film mulching on double ridges and furrow sowing in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Loess Plateau, this study aims to explore the optimal proportion of organic fertilizer to replace basal chemical fertilizers; clarify its regulatory mechanism on nitrogen metabolism in maize roots and yield, so as to simultaneously achieve the reduction in chemical fertilizers and stable yield increase; and provide technical support for the global green production of dryland agriculture. Using fully mulched ridge–furrow cropping maize as the research object, four treatments were established with an equal nitrogen application rate (200 kg/hm²): 100% chemical fertilizer (T1), 50% chemical fertilizer + 50% organic fertilizer (T2), 62.5% chemical fertilizer + 37.5% organic fertilizer (T3), and no fertilization (T4). The nitrogen content in roots, metabolic enzyme activities in different soil layers during the filling stage, as well as indicators such as yield and nitrogen use efficiency were measured. The T3 treatment showed the highest root nitrogen content, accumulation, and metabolic enzyme activity in the 0–20 cm soil layer. The nitrogen assimilation amount after flowering was 10.7% higher than that of T1. The grain yield and grain weight per ear were the highest in two years, reaching 6388.9 kg/hm² in 2022, which was 11.8% higher than that of T1. The agronomic utilization efficiency increased by 22.8%, while the partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer increased by 11.5%. The T2 treatment led to yield loss due to the excessive application of organic fertilizer. Overall, substituting 37.5% of the basal chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer enhanced root activity and nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities, thereby improving nitrogen uptake and translocation efficiency, which ultimately increased kernel number per ear and kernel weight per ear, leading to higher grain yield. Therefore, this approach can be recommended for the green production of maize in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Loess Plateau. Full article

Combined application of controlled-release urea (CRU) and urea (U) improves yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in various crops, but the optimal blending ratio and related mechanisms in peanut production, particularly regarding antioxidant enzyme responses, remain insufficiently studied. To address this, a two-year field experiment was conducted with six fertilization treatments at a nitrogen rate of 120 kg·ha⁻¹: CK (no nitrogen), T1 (100% U), T2 (100% CRU), T3 (50% CRU + 50% U), T4 (70% CRU + 30% U), and T5 (30% CRU + 70% U). The results showed that compared with T1, the blended treatments significantly increased yield by 5.41–10.88% and improved NUE by 35.90–64.37%, with T4 performing the best. The T4 treatment significantly enhanced photosynthetic characteristics, promoted dry matter accumulation, coordinated nitrogen supply across growth stages, strengthened nitrogen metabolism enzyme activity, and delayed leaf senescence. At harvesting stage, the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT in T4 were 12.82%, 22.37%, and 23.32% higher, respectively, than those in T1, while MDA content decreased by 11.29%. This study demonstrates that in the ridge-furrow plastic film mulching cultivation system of Shandong’s brown soil, coapplying 70% CRU with 30% U is an effective nitrogen management strategy for peanuts. This approach achieves high and stable yields by improving nitrogen metabolism and antioxidant capacity. The findings provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for sustainable intensification of peanut production in similar ecological regions and cultivation systems. Full article

Rational agronomic practice enhances crop productivity and resource use efficiency. Plastic film mulching and phosphorus (P) fertilization are widely applied in alpine agriculture to improve soil water content, temperature, and P availability. However, their effects on soil P transformation and nutrient uptake in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) remain unclear. This study conducted a field experiment to explore the effects of mulching methods and P levels on soil P fractions and nitrogen (N), P uptake in faba bean. The experiment followed a randomized block design with three film mulching treatments—no-mulching with flat planting (NMF), double ridges and furrows mulched with one film (DRM), and three ridges and furrows mulched with one film (TRM) and three P levels—P0 (0 kg P ha⁻¹), P1 (9.10 kg P ha⁻¹), and P2 (18.2 kg P ha⁻¹). The results showed that soil medium- and highly active P increased, while low-active P decreased with increasing P levels. Compared with DRM and TRM, NMF had lower low-active P and higher medium- and highly active P, particularly under P2. These changes contributed to increases in soil total P and available P. The aboveground N, P uptake and N/P ratio under NMF were significantly higher than under DRM and TRM. As P levels increased, the aboveground N, P uptake and N/P ratio increased in NMF and DRM, but decreased in TRM. In all treatments, the aboveground N/P ratio was below 14, indicating N limitation. NMF, especially with P2, alleviated N limitation to faba bean growth. Overall, NMF combined with about 18.2 kg P ha⁻¹ P fertilizer is a sustainable practice for faba bean cultivation in alpine regions. However, attention should be paid to achieving a balanced supply of N and P fertilizers. Full article

Analyzing the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in dryland areas of southern Shanxi, particularly under the influence of fertilization and mulching conditions, is crucial for enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity and understanding the SOC pool’s resilience to future climate change scenarios in the region. In a long-term experimental site located in Hongtong County, Shanxi Province, soil samples were collected from the 0–100 cm depth over a nine-year period. These samples were analyzed to evaluate the impact of five treatments: no fertilization and no mulching (CK), conventional farming practices (FP), nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization (MF), nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization with ridge-film furrow-sowing (RF), and nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization with flat-film hole-sowing (FH). The average annual yield of wheat grain, SOC stock, water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC), and heavy fraction organic carbon (HFOC) stocks were measured. The results revealed that the FH treatment not only significantly increased wheat grain yield but also significantly elevated the SOC stock by 23.71% at the 0–100 cm depth compared to CK. Furthermore, this treatment significantly enhanced the POC, LFOC, and MOC stocks by 106.43–292.98%, 36.93–158.73%, and 17.83–81.55%, respectively, within 0–80 cm. However, it also significantly decreased the WSOC stock by 34.32–42.81% within the same soil layer and the HFOC stock by 72.05–101.51% between the 20 and 100 cm depth. Notably, the SOC stock at the 0–100 cm depth was primarily influenced by the HFOC. Utilizing the DNDC (denitrification–decomposition) model, we found that future temperature increases are detrimental to SOC sequestration in dryland areas, whereas reduced rainfall is beneficial. The simulation results indicated that in a warmer climate, a 2 °C temperature increase would result in a SOC stock decrease of 0.77 to 1.01 t·ha⁻¹ compared to a 1 °C increase scenario. Conversely, under conditions of reduced precipitation, a 20% rainfall reduction would lead to a SOC stock increase of 1.53% to 3.42% compared to a 10% decrease scenario. In conclusion, the nitrogen reduction and controlled fertilization with flat-film hole-sowing (FH) treatment emerged as the most effective practice for increasing SOC sequestration in dryland areas by enhancing the HFOC stock. This treatment also fortified the SOC pool’s capacity to withstand future climate change, thereby serving as the optimal approach for concurrently enhancing production and fertility in this region. Full article

Soil bacteria drive biogeochemical cycles and influence disease suppression, playing pivotal roles in sustainable agriculture. Using Illumina MiSeq sequencing, we assessed how six ridge-furrow film mulching patterns affect soil bacterial diversity in a continuous potato system. The Shannon index showed significantly higher diversity in fully mulched treatments (T2–T3) versus controls (CK), suggesting mulching enhances microbial community richness. This result suggests that complete mulching combined with ridge planting (T2) may significantly enhance bacterial proliferation in soil. The bacterial communities were predominantly composed of Acidobacteria, Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexota, and Planctomycetota. Among these, Acidobacteria showed the highest abundance, with ridge planting patterns favoring greater Acidobacteria richness compared to furrow planting. In contrast, Pseudomonadota exhibited higher abundance under half-mulching conditions than under complete mulching. At class level, Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria emerged as the most abundant groups, with Proteobacteria constituting 22.6–35.7% of total microbial populations. Notably, Proteobacteria demonstrated particular dominance under the complete mulching with ridge planting pattern (T2). At the genus level, Subgroup_6_norank represented the most dominant taxon among the 439 identified bacterial genera, accounting for 14.0–20.2% of communities across all treatments, with half-mulching ridge planting (T4) showing the highest relative abundance. Our findings demonstrate that different ridge-furrow film mulching patterns significantly influence soil microbial diversity. While traditional non-mulched (CK) and mulched flat plots (T1) exhibited similar impacts on bacterial community structure, other treatments displayed distinct taxonomic profiles. Complete mulching patterns, particularly ridge planting (T2), appear most conducive to microbial development, suggesting their potential to enhance soil biogeochemical cycling in continuous cropping systems. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing mulching practices to improve soil health in agricultural ecosystems. Full article

To address low productivity and water constraints in lucerne fields of China’s Gansu Yellow River Irrigation Region, this study optimized lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation through synergistic planting nitrogen regimes. A two-year field trial (2021–2022) evaluated three systems: ridge-furrow with ordinary mulch (PM), ridge-furrow with biodegradable mulch (BM), and conventional flat planting (FP), under four controlled-release N rates (0, 80, 160, 240 kg ha⁻¹). Multidimensional assessments included growth dynamics, dry matter yield, forage quality (crude protein [CP], acid/neutral detergent fiber [ADF/NDF], relative feed value [RFV]), and resource efficiency metrics (water use efficiency [WUE], irrigation WUE [IWUE], partial factor productivity of N [PFPN], agronomic N use efficiency [ANUE]). The results showed the following: (1) Compared with conventional flat planting, ridge planting with film mulching significantly promoted lucerne growth, with ordinary plastic film providing a stronger effect than biodegradable film. Plant height and stem diameter exhibited a quadratic response to elevated nitrogen (N) application rates under identical planting patterns, peaking at intermediate N levels before declining with further increases. (2) Ridge planting with both ordinary plastic film and biodegradable film combined with an appropriate N rate improved lucerne yield and quality. In particular, the PMN2 treatment reached the highest value of yield (14,600 kg ha⁻¹), CP (19.19%) and RFV (124.18), and the lowest value of ADF (29.63%) and NDF (48.86%), and all of them were significantly better than the other treatments (p < 0.05). (3) WUE, IWUE, PFPN, and ANUE followed the pattern PM > BM > FP. With increasing N application rates, WUE, IWUE, and ANUE initially rose and then declined, peaking under N2, whereas PFPN showed a decreasing trend and reached its maximum under N1. Principal component analysis revealed that ridge planting with ordinary plastic film combined with 160 kg·ha⁻¹ N (PMN2) optimized lucerne performance, achieving balanced improvements in yield, forage quality, and water–nitrogen use efficiency. This regimen is recommended as the optimal strategy for lucerne cultivation in the Gansu Yellow River Irrigation Region and analogous ecoregions. Full article

The ridge–furrow plastic mulching technique has been widely applied due to its benefits of increasing temperature, conserving moisture, reducing evaporation, and boosting yields. Hydrus-2D is a computer model designed to simulate the two-dimensional movement of water in soil characterized by a low cost and high flexibility compared to field experiments. This study, based on field experiment data from Jianping County, Liaoning Province, China, during 2017–2018, developed Hydrus-2D models for two distinct field management practices: non-mulched flat cultivation (NM-FC) and mulched ridge tillage (M-RT). Furthermore, it simulated the dynamic changes in farmland water variations during the summer maize growth period (2021–2100) under climate change scenarios, specifically medium and high emission pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5), based on the FGOALS-g3 model, which exhibits the highest similarity to the climate pattern of Jianping County in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) global climate models and the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The results showed that in the future FGOALS-g3 model, net radiation exhibited a significant upward trend under the SSP2-4.5 scenario (Z = 2.38), while the average air temperature showed a highly significant increase under both SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, with Z-values of 6.48 and 8.90, respectively. The Hydrus-2D model demonstrated high simulation accuracy in both NM-FC and M-RT treatments (R² ranging from 0.86 to 0.96, with RMSE not exceeding 0.011), accurately simulating the dynamic changes in soil water content (SWC) under future climate change. Compared to NM-FC, M-RT reduced evaporation, increased transpiration, and effectively decreased the leakage caused by increased future precipitation, resulting in a 0.04 and 0.01 cm³/cm³ increase in surface and deep soil SWC, respectively, during the summer maize growing season, significantly improving water use efficiency. Moreover, M-RT treatment reduced the impact coefficients of climate change on various water balance parameters, stabilizing changes in these parameters and SWC under future climate conditions. This study demonstrates the significant advantages of M-RT in coping with climate change, providing key scientific evidence for future agricultural water resource management. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and farmers, particularly in developing adaptive land management and irrigation strategies, helping to improve water use efficiency and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

The arid and semi-arid region of Northwest China plays a significant role in potato production, yet yields are often hampered by drought due to limited precipitation and irrigation water. The ridge–furrow rainwater-harvesting technology is an efficient and widely used technique to relieve drought impact and improve crop yield by changing the micro-topography to harvest rainwater to meet the water demand of crops. An analysis of precipitation, water demand, and runoff data spanning 30 years guided the selection of suitable rainwater-harvesting methods tailored to meteorological conditions. The results showed that potato water demand exceeded precipitation in the region. The mulching approach performed best in the western arid region with the most significant increase in yield and water use efficiency (WUE) and was suitable for the western semi-arid region and the agro-pastoral ecotone. In the potato dryland farming areas, the water deficit increased from southeast to northwest. Specifically, northern Gansu, northern Ningxia, and midwestern Inner Mongolia experienced a water deficit of over 200 mm, and rainwater harvesting combined with irrigation was recommended. Conversely, regarding deficits below 200 mm in southern Gansu, Ningxia, and central Inner Mongolia, a 1:1 or 2:1 pattern of ridges could be applied, and mulching was needed only in the necessary areas. For the southern Qinghai, Shaanxi, and eastern Inner Mongolia regions, ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting could be replaced by flat potato cropping. In summary, rainwater harvesting addresses water deficits, aiding climate adaptation in Northwest China’s arid and semi-arid regions. The implementation of mulching and ridge–furrow technology must be location-specific. Full article

The ridge–furrow with plastic film mulching (RF) system has been widely adopted in rain-fed crop planting due to its potential to enhance crop yield and water use efficiency. However, the impact of the RF system on maize lodging resistance, particularly when nitrogen fertilizer is applied, remains uncertain. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was carried out with two planting systems (FP: flat planting and RF) and two nitrogen application rates (N180: 180 kg·N ha⁻¹ and N300: 300 kg·N ha⁻¹) to assess the risk of lodging in maize. The results showed that compared to FP, RF resulted in a significant increase of 78.7% in lodging rate. In addition, the lodging rate increased by 22.6% with increasing nitrogen fertilizer application. The lignin content increased by 43.4%, while the stalk bending strength rose by 42.5%, under RF compared to the FP system. These improvements in the mechanical properties of maize stalks contributed to the improved lodging resistance index of RF, which was found to be approximately 21.3% higher than that of FP. In addition, high nitrogen application rates increased the risk of lodging for different planting patterns over two years. In conclusion, fertilization of spring maize with 300 kg·N ha⁻¹ under the RF system led to higher yields but increased lodging rates. The risk of lodging should be considered when planting maize under the RF system. The results of this study can provide scientific basis and technical support for the optimization of rain-fed maize cultivation measures in the Loess Plateau. Full article

Mulch is an important measure for improving agricultural productivity in many semiarid regions of the world. However, the impacts of various mulching materials on soil hydrothermal characteristics, enzyme activity, and potato yield in fields have not been comprehensively explored. Thus, a two-growing-season field experiment (2020–2021) with four treatments (SSM, straw strip mulching; PMP, plastic film mulching with large ridge; PMF, double ridge-furrow with full film mulching; and CK, no mulching with conventional planting as the control) was conducted to analyze soil hydrothermal and soil enzyme activities and potato yield on the semiarid Loess Plateau of Northwest China. The results indicated that mulching practices had a positive effect on the soil moisture, with SSM, PMP, and PMF increasing by 7.3%, 9.2%, and 9.2%, respectively, compared to CK. Plastic film mulching significantly increased the soil temperature by 1.3 °C, and straw mulching reduced the soil temperature by 0.7 °C in the 0–30 cm soil layers of the whole growth period. On average, SSM, PMP, and PMF increased soil urease activity in 0–40 cm soil layers by 14.2%, 2.8%, and 2.7%, respectively, and enhanced soil sucrase activity by 19.2%, 8.6%, and 5.7%, respectively, compared with CK. Plastic film mulching increased soil catalase activity by 9.6%, while SSM decreased by 10.1%. Mulching treatments significantly increased tuber yield and water use efficiency based on dry tuber yield (WUE), and SSM, PMP, and PMF increased tuber yield by 18.6%, 31.9%, and 29.7%, enhanced WUE by 50%, 50%, and 57.0% over CK. The correlation analysis revealed that soil moisture was the main factor influencing tuber yield (r = 0.95**). Mulching could improve the soil hydrothermal environment, regulate soil enzyme activities, and promote yield increase. As a sustainable protective mulching measure, straw strip mulching is conducive to improving the ecological environment of farmland and the sustainable development of regional organic agriculture. Full article

Enhancing crop production in the saline regions of the Yellow River Delta (YRD), where shallow saline groundwater is prevalent, hinges on optimizing water and salt conditions in the root zone. This study explored the effects of various physical methods on soil water and salt dynamics during the cotton growing season in these saline areas. Three approaches were tested: plastic film mulching (FM), plastic film mulching with an added compacted soil layer (FM+CL), and ridge-furrow planting (RF). The HYDRUS-2D model (Version 3.02) was used to analyze changes in soil water and salt content in the root zone over time. The results showed that subsoil compaction significantly lowered salt build-up in the root zone, especially in the top 20 cm. Film mulching was crucial for reducing water loss in the Yellow River Delta. Crop transpiration increased by 7.0% under FM and 10.5% under FM+CL compared to RF planting. Additionally, FM+CL reduced soil salinity in the top 10 cm by 11.5% at cotton harvest time compared to FM alone. The study concludes that combining film mulching with a soil compaction layer is a promising strategy for local farmers, addressing soil water retention, salt management, and boosting cotton yields. Full article

Plastic film mulching is widely used in water and temperature-limited regions to enhance crop yields. Phosphorus (P) fertilization can address deficiencies in soil P availability. In this four-year field experiment conducted in an alpine agricultural area, we explored the effects of nitrogen (N) and P supply imbalance on faba bean cultivation, particularly examining intensified N competition between soil microbes and plants. The randomized block design comprised three film mulching treatments—no film mulching with flat planting (NMF), double ridges and furrows mulched with one plastic film (DRM), and three ridges and furrows mulched with one plastic film (TRM)—and three P levels—P₀ (0 kg P ha⁻¹), P₁ (9.10 kg P ha⁻¹), and P₂ (18.2 kg P ha⁻¹). The results indicated that NMF enhanced soil available N and microbial biomass N (MBN) during early growth stages, consequently improving faba bean yield, nodule weight, total N, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) compared to DRM and TRM. DRM and TRM exhibited higher soil available N and MBN during later growth stages and higher soil temperature and water content, soil water storage (SWS), soil organic C (SOC), and soil C/N ratio than NMF. In NMF and DRM, P fertilization increased grain yield, nodule weight, SOC, total N, soil C/N ratio, soil available N, and MBC but decreased MBN during early growth stages, and decreased soil water content and SWS. TRM exhibited the opposite trend. P fertilization increased soil total P and available P. Overall, NMF combined with P fertilization (~18.2 kg P ha⁻¹) significantly improved faba bean yield. However, it may also accelerate SOC decomposition, highlighting the need to consider N fertilizer application in this alpine agricultural region. Full article

A better understanding of the factors that reduce bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO₂ (Փ), enhance 13C carbon isotope discrimination, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of barley leaves will be useful to develop a nutrient- and water-saving strategy for dry-land farming systems. Therefore, barley plants were exposed to a novel nitrification inhibitor (NI) (3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl succinic acid) (DMPSA) and a urease inhibitor (UI) (N-butyl thiophosphorictriamide (NBPT)) with mulched drip fertigation treatments, which included HF (high-drip fertigation (370 mm) under a ridge furrow system), MF (75% of HF, moderate-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), LF (50% of HF, low-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), and TP (traditional planting with no inhibitors or drip fertigation strategies). The results indicated that the nitrification inhibitor combined with mulched drip fertigation significantly reduced bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO₂ (Փ) as a result of increased soil water content; this was demonstrated by the light and CO₂ response curves of the photosynthesis capacity (An), the apparent quantum efficiency (α), and the ¹³C-photosynthate distribution. In the inhibitor-based strategy, the use of the urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced Փ by 35% and 39% compared with TP. In the NI-HF strategy, it was found that barley could retain the maximum photosynthesis capacity by increasing the leaf area index (LAI), An, rubisco content, soluble protein, dry matter per plant, and productivity. The CO₂ and light response curves were considerably improved in the NI-HF and NI-MF treatments due to a higher 13C carbon isotope (Δ‰), respiration rate (Rd), and Ci/Ca, therefore obtaining the minimum Փ value. With both inhibitors, there was a significant difference between HF and LF drip fertigation. The NI-MF treatment significantly increased the grain yield, total chlorophyll content, WUE, and NUE by 52%, 47%, 57%, and 45%, respectively. Collectively, the results suggest that the new nitrification inhibitor (DMPSA) with HF or MF mulched drip fertigation could be promoted in semi-arid regions in order to mitigate bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO₂ (Փ), without negatively affecting barley production and leading to the nutrient and water use efficiency of barley. Full article

Ridge and furrow plastic mulch (RFPM) and nitrogen (N) application are effective strategies for improving crop productivity in China’s Loess Plain. However, it is not clear how the ridge–furrow ratio and nitrogen fertilizer type (NT) affect the use of water, nitrogen, heat, and radiation resources for the enhancement of rain-fed wheat production. Two nitrogen fertilizer types (traditional urea (TU) and controlled-release urea (CRU)) and four planting patterns (conventional flat planting (F) and the RFPM system of 20 cm ridges with 40 cm furrows (R₂F₄), 40 cm ridges with 40 cm furrows (R₄F₄), and 60 cm ridges with 40 cm furrows (R₆F₄)) were tested from September 2018 to June 2021 during the winter wheat growing season. It was found that the RFPM system can increase soil thermal time (TT_soil) from 41.0 to 152.1 °C d compared to the F. RFPM system thermal effect, which reduced the vegetative growth period and prolonged the reproductive growth period for 2 to 7 days, which promoted an increase in the leaf area index (LAI) and final dry matter (DM) accumulation. These significantly increased the grain yield (GY) in the RFPM system by 51.6–115.2% and enhanced the thermal time use efficiency (TUE) by 48–99.5%, water productivity (WP) by 37.4–76.3%, radiation use efficiency (RUE) by 16.3–34.4%, and partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFP_N) by 51.6–115.2% compared to F. Although a high ridge and furrow ratio in combination with CRU increased the GY and resource use efficiency, it also exacerbated the soil water depletion, especially in the soil layer between 40 and 140 cm. Overall, CRU combined with the 40 cm ridge and 40 cm furrow RFPM system maximized resource efficiency and increased wheat production on China’s Loess Plateau. Full article