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In agroforestry systems (AFS), where environmental conditions are highly variable at small spatial scales, the use of uniform genetic material of a single cultivar commonly grown in monoculture cropping might not be optimal. However, the use of composite cross populations (CCPs) that contain an inherent genetic variability might be a promising approach under the environmental variability created by trees in AFS. In this experimental trial, the performance of a CCP ('CC-2 k') of winter wheat was compared to a commercial variety ('Wiwa') in a split-plot design at two AFS (Feusisberg and Wollerau) in Central Switzerland. Yield of CC-2k (1.9 ± 0.7 Mg ha−1) was higher than yield of Wiwa (0.7 ± 0.4 Mg ha−1) in Wollerau, but yields did not differ between CCP and variety in Feusisberg (1.9 ± 0.7 Mg ha−1 and 2.0 ± 0.8 Mg ha−1, respectively). The interaction of site and variety was significant (p < 0.05). Wiwa had a higher protein, Fe and Ca content than CC-2k. Therefore, while the CC-2k outperformed Wiwa in terms of yield in one of the two AFS, Wiwa outperformed CC-2k in terms of quality. In this one-year field experiment, the composite cross population might have been better adapted to the heterogenous environment of agroforestry systems (found in one out of two sites) but failed to reach the high-quality product of modern cultivars. These initial results must be seen as first insights which need to be complemented by larger field experiments for generalisation. The findings of this study may be interpreted as an indication that further improvements in terms of quality might make CCPs a viable option for diversified agricultural systems with larger environmental heterogeneity than common monoculture cropping systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) relay strip intercropping involves cultivating wheat sown in autumn and cotton sown in spring, allowing the two crops to grow together for ∼2 months. Despite its prevalence in cotton‐growing regions globally, this agricultural practice remains untapped in Turkey, where the emphasis on resource use efficiency and the competition between staple and cash crops are paramount. To address this, we conducted a study comparing three cropping systems under both well‐watered and limited water conditions: sole wheat with a row spacing of 13.5 cm, sole cotton with a row spacing of 70 cm, and an intercropping system consisting of four rows of wheat and two rows of cotton, with row spacings of 13.5 cm and 40.5 cm, respectively. In intercropped wheat and cotton, the relative wheat yield was 0.68, while the relative cotton yield was 0.73, resulting in a combined relative yield of 1.41 when compared to monoculture. The land equivalent ratio (1.44) and area time equivalent ratio (1.08) consistently exceeded 1.0, particularly under limited watering conditions and concurrent heat stress observed in the second year of the experiment. Our findings indicate that wheat–cotton relay intercropping holds significant potential as a highly effective approach to enhance the production of both cotton and wheat in Turkey, particularly in stressful conditions such as limited water availability. Core Ideas: The productivity of wheat/cotton intercropping under both well‐watered and drought conditions in Turkey was studied.On average, intercropped wheat and cotton exhibited relative yields of 64% and 75%, respectively.The land equivalent ratio and water equivalent ratio were well above 1, with averages of 1.5 and 1.4, respectively.The advantage of intercropping was slightly increased under conditions of water shortage.Intercropped cotton demonstrated greater resilience to heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global wheat production has remained stable in the last 20 years, benefiting from increased grain yields despite decline in harvested wheat area. Here, we conducted a comprehensive review of ca. 300 peer-reviewed studies worldwide to outline benefits of adding wheat to simple crop rotations (i.e., one to three rotational crops). We highlight the wheat's versatility for tactical in-season crop management (e.g., flexible sowing dates, crop type [winter vs spring], and nitrogen fertility) and strategic cropping system management (e.g., grazing and double-cropping) and provide evidence supporting the positive impact of wheat on the grain yield and yield stability of other rotational crops. The inclusion of wheat in simple cropping systems enhances agroecosystem diversity and improves resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) residue of wheat offers benefits and drawbacks on soil quality attributes, weed control, and climate change mitigation potential. The introduction of wheat to simple crop rotations can (i) interrupt pest population cycles by serving as a break crop; (ii) decrease N application requirements, thus reducing N losses, greenhouse gas emissions, soil acidification, and production costs; (iii) improve soil health and carbon sequestration; (iv) increase resource use-efficiency of the cropping system; (v) foment fauna population; and (vi) decrease variability in economic returns. This review highlights that wheat offers unique opportunities to increase diversification and foster more sustainable and resilient agroecosystems that will feed a growing global population while acting as a net carbon sink, helping to mitigate drivers of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop models are valuable tools for simulating and assessing genotype‐by‐environment interactions. In most studies, these models are parameterized based on crop data from a few sites and years, which often limits their applicability to a broader geographic context. Therefore, we utilize countrywide multi‐environment variety trial data in this study to implement a genotype‐specific model parameterization for winter rye (Secale cereale L.) in Germany. We use the Crop and Environment REsource Synthesis (CERES) model originally used for wheat available in the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT) framework and adapt and evaluate it for rye. Calibration and evaluation involved a comprehensive agronomic trial datasets for the rye cultivar Palazzo, encompassing 194 site‐years of experiments covering various cereal production regions in Germany. The parameterization followed a structured approach, encompassing phenology, growth, and yield‐specific coefficients. The parameterized CSM‐CERES‐Rye (where CSM is cropping system model) demonstrated reasonable accuracy in simulating critical crop parameters, including aboveground biomass, leaf area index, tiller, grain number, unit seed weight, and grain yield. The model is available for diverse model‐based assessments of rye cultivation, including evaluating crop management, analyzing crop rotations, and assessing rye's suitability across varied environments, making it valuable for sustainable agriculture and decision‐making. Core Ideas: Adapting DSSAT‐CSM‐CERES‐Wheat (where DSSAT is decision support system for agrotechnology transfer, CSM is cropping system model, and CERES is crop and environment resource synthesis) for cereal rye using comprehensive data from German plant variety trials for the first time.A structured sequential method was employed for model parameterization.The model enables essential analyses, including crop management, rotations, and suitability assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter wheat–summer maize cropping system in the North China Plain often experiences droughtinduced yield reduction in the wheat season and rainwater and nitrogen (N) fertilizer losses in the maize season. This study aimed to identify an optimal interseasonal water- and N-management strategy to alleviate these losses. Four ratios of allocation of 360 kg N ha-1 between the wheat and maize seasons under one-time presowing root-zone irrigation (W0) and additional jointing and anthesis irrigation (W2) in wheat and one irrigation after maize sowing were set as follows: N1 (120:240), N2 (180:180), N3 (240:120) and N4 (300:60). The results showed that under W0, the N3 treatment produced the highest annual yield, crop water productivity (WPC), and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFPN). Increased N allocation in wheat under W0 improved wheat yield without affecting maize yield, as surplus nitrate after wheat harvest was retained in the topsoil layers and available for the subsequent maize. Under W2, annual yield was largest in the N2 treatment. The risk of nitrate leaching increased in W2 when N application rate in wheat exceeded that of the N2 treatment, especially in the wet year. Compared to W2N2, the W0N3 maintained 95.2% grain yield over two years. The WPC was higher in the W0 treatment than in the W2 treatment. Therefore, following limited total N rate, an appropriate fertilizer N transfer from maize to wheat season had the potential of a ‘‘triple win” for high annual yield, WPC and PFPN in a water-limited wheat–maize cropping system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice residue burning poses a significant challenge in the rice-wheat cropping system of India, leading to environmental pollution, health issues, and substantial nutrient loss. To combat this menace, a three-year study (2020-21 to 2022-23) was conducted, investigating the effects of rice residue retention (RRR) and rice residue incorporation (RRI) at graded N levels (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/ha) alongside farmers' practices. The primary objective was to enhance wheat productivity, profitability, and soil fertility within this system. Pooled analysis revealed that RRR outperformed RRI at lower nitrogen doses, while RRI excelled with 7.5%, 7.4%, and 10.0% higher biological yields at higher nitrogen doses (100, 150, and 200 kg/ha). The success of RRR and RRI was attributed to 10.5% and 5.0% higher effective tiller/m2, respectively, compared to farmers' practices at 150 kg N/ha. Notably, RRR exhibited superior NDVI values at the flag leaf stage (0.76) over farmers' practices (0.73). At the 150 kg N/ha, RRR displayed a 9.6% lower cost of cultivation compared to farmers' practices, with 19.6% higher net returns at lower N levels (50 kg/ha), suggesting its greater benefits under low-input conditions. Furthermore, RRR showed the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.75) at 150 kg N/ha, followed by RRI (2.59) and farmers' practices (2.55). Over the three-year period, RRR significantly increased organic carbon content (0.49–0.54%) compared to the initial value (0.38%), affirming its long-term benefits. Consequently, the adoption of RRR by farmers is a preferable eco-friendly option over RRI and present practices for enhancing wheat productivity within the rice-wheat system. Due to 60–65% saving of fuel with the practice of zero tillage along with rice residue retention, it can reduce CO2 emission by 120 kg/ha, therefore, its implementation can reduce CO2 release by 1.62 MT in South Asia per year. Ultimately, it can meet the target of Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and reaching net-zero CO2 emissions globally by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the wheat response under late sowing (LS) and salinity stress (SS) are available, however, in rice-wheat and cotton-wheat cropping systems, wheat planting is often delayed resulting in co-occurrence of LS and SS in salt affected soils. This two-year field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) [thiourea (TU), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); water and no application were taken as control] on the productivity, grain quality and economic returns of timely-sown (TS) and LS wheat under normal (NC) and natural saline conditions (SS; EC 11.27 dS m− 1). Delay in sowing and planting in naturally saline soils caused a significant decrease in plant growth, grain yield, grain quality and net economic returns during both years of study. Late planting and SS caused a significant reduction in grain yield reduction by 40.58% and 34.72% (LS) and 40.66% and 42.89% (SS) compared with respective controls during 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, the influence of co-occurrence of LS and SS was more devastating than the individual stress causing 62.17% and 60.18% reduction in grain yield than the respective control during 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, the application of all PGRs improved the grain yield, grain quality and economic turnover under SS and LS stress. The order of improvement in grain yield by the application of PGRs treatments was TU > SA > H2O2. In conclusion, the application of different plant growth regulators improved economic returns, grain yield and quality attributes of late-sown wheat under saline conditions. In this regard, TU application was the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice-wheat cropping system is the largest cereal-based agricultural production system in India. It provides considerable significance to national food, nutrition, and livelihood security. However, the extensive use of resources under rice-wheat system has resulted in significant issues, including a decline in groundwater levels, indiscriminate use of fertilizers, the burning of rice residues, increased emissions of greenhouse gases, and the development of herbicide-resistant weeds which led to stagnant crop productivity and reduced profitability. This study was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal, India, to evaluate the combined effects of conventional and nano urea on productivity, profitability, and efficient nitrogen management strategy in wheat under rice-wheat system. The study evaluated eight treatment combinations of nitrogen application through conventionally applied urea (46% N) and foliar applied nano urea (4% N). The results of the study showed that the application of 150 kg N/ha in three equal splits as basal and just before 1st and 2nd irrigation, either alone (T2) or along with a spray of nano urea (T5), resulted in the highest grain yield and profitability. Top dressing of urea just before irrigation with a dose of nitrogen 150 kg/ha applied in three equal splits (T2) resulted in 420 kg/ha additional grain yield over top dressing at 7-10 days after irrigation with same dose (T3). Treatment T5 recorded the highest gross and net returns with 2492.5 and 1804.0 US $/ha. The study's findings suggest that efficient nitrogen management is essential for sustainable wheat production in India. The application of 150 kg N/ha in three equal splits, either alone or along with a spray of nano urea, is a promising strategy for improving wheat productivity and profitability in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving nutrient use efficiency and system productivity with a positive nutrient balance in rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is vital for long-term food security. Two-year field trials were conducted with the objective of computing the effect of different rates, time, method, and source of potassium (K) fertilization on nutrient recovery efficiency, nutrient balance, and system productivity in a dry direct-seeded RWCS with eight treatments. The two-split (half basal and half at panicle initiation) application of 60 kg K2O/ha resulted in 37.5% and 19.2% increase in recovery efficiency of K in rice and wheat, respectively over basal application of 60 kg K2O/ha. Besides, the split-application of K increased the nitrogen recovery efficiency in rice and wheat by 11.2% and 10.8%, respectively. Similarly, the phosphorus recovery efficiency was increased by 3.6% and 7.4% in rice and wheat, respectively. The split application of 60 kg K2O/ha also increased the K harvest index (% of the total K absorbed is transferred to grain) by 0.7% and 2.7% in rice and wheat, respectively over applying entire K at basal. Similarly, the system productivity (11.26 t/ha) was increased by 8% over applying entire K at basal. In the absence of top-dressing of K (30 kg/ha), two foliar-sprays of 2.5% K provide equal benefits of top dressing. Application of 90 kg K2O/ha lowered the K negative balance (−99 kg/ha/year) considerably compared to two-split application of 60 kg K2O/ha (−152.5 kg/ha/year). Thus, optimization of K fertilization in RWCS will increase the system productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The intercropping has great advantages in production gain, resources use and soil quality improvement. However, the effects of perennial forage legumes intercropped with annual grain crop on soil alkali-salinity was not well revealed. This study aimed to propose a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) intercropping and reveal whether this cropping system could ameliorate soil salinity. Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted under 3 cropping systems at 3 irrigation amounts in the inland arid area of northwestern China. The cropping systems were sole spring wheat cropping (W), 12 rows spring wheat/4 rows alfalfa intercropping (W12A4) and 8 rows spring wheat/4 rows alfalfa intercropping (W8A4), and irrigation amounts included 450 (full irrigation amount, If), 360 (moderate irrigation amount, Im) and 180 mm (low irrigation amount, Il). Results: The intercropping system, especially W8A4, could more decrease soil salinity, pH and topsoil bulk density, and increase soil water content, topsoil porosity, and Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents, compared to W. Soil electrical conductivity was positively correlated with topsoil bulk density and negatively correlated with topsoil porosity, which were enhanced by intercropping and irrigation. There was weak correlation between soil electrical conductivity and soil water content. W12A4 and W8A4 led to reduction in contents of Na+, K+, Cl−, and SO42−, while Ca2+ and Mg2+ accumulated in the soil. Conclusion: Intercropped alfalfa and spring wheat could reduce soil salinity, improve soil structure and ions balance. It was recommended that W8A4 with 360 mm irrigation could be extensively used in the arid area of northwestern China, gaining grain and forage production, and helping reduce salt accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Straw incorporation is an important management practice in global agriculture. However, present straw returning usually focus on returning straw into the topsoil, while neglecting the amendment of subsoil. The study aims to investigate the effect of different straw returning strategies on soil quality and wheat productivity, and to develop recommendations regarding sustainable agriculture. Methods: A 2-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of five straw returning strategies on the soil quality and wheat yield in a winter wheat-summer maize cropping system in the North China Plain. Soil quality is defined as an index approach, including soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. The five treatments were straw removal (SR), straw mulching (SM), straw incorporation into topsoil (SI), deep-ploughing straw incorporation (DP-SI) and deep-injected straw incorporation (DI-SI). Results: Our results showed that straw returning improved soil quality across 0–40 cm depth relative to SR. The DP-SI and DI-SIa (above straw cluster) significantly increased topsoil quality by 20.5–26.2% and 13.6–19.0% compared with SI and SM. The DI-SIa also enhanced the subsoil quality, which was characterized by a significant increase in soil nutrients, compared to other straw returning strategies. The soil quality of 0–40 cm layer under DP-SI and DI-SI was significantly higher than that of other treatments. In addition, a positive correlation between soil quality and wheat yield was observed. Thus, the higher soil quality under DP-SI and DI-SI improved the average wheat yield by 9.6% and 10.7% compared with SI, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicates that DI-SI may improve subsoil properties and wheat yields and is likely an effective measure for sustainable development of a wheat-maize rotation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Assessing water consumption in intercropping systems relative to sole crop systems is important for planting system planning. Methods: This study focused on wheat/maize (Triticum aestivum L./Zea mays L.) relay intercropping to evaluate water use advantage of relay intercropping system based on the same period. Field experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2016, and three cropping patterns were designed: sole wheat, sole maize, wheat/maize intercrops. Method for evaluating water use advantage in intercropping was revised by considering water consumption of sole crops during the fallow period (periods where no plants are grown). Results: Intercropping grain yield was higher than sole cropping yield. Based on the existing method, the intercropping system had 20.4% greater water use than the sole cropping system and the water equivalent ratio (WER) was lower than 1; after revision, intercropping had 7.7% less water use than sole cropping, and the WER was greater than 1. Before revision, intercropped wheat used 3.1% more water than sole wheat, and the intercropped maize used 38.8% more water than sole maize; after revision, intercropped wheat used 24.4% less water than sole wheat, and intercropped maize used 11.0% more water than sole maize. Conclusion: These results indicated that the revised method can be better used to evaluate water use advantage of relay intercropping system. This study implied that wheat/maize intercropping increased both yield and water use based on revised method, and relay intercropping can be a suitable production practice employed in fallow policy, especially in areas with limited water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watermelon is commonly affected by Fusarium wilt in a monoculture cropping system. Wheat intercropping alleviates the affection of Fusarium wilt of watermelon. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of wheat and watermelon intercropping on watermelon growth and Fusarium wilt. Our results showed that wheat and watermelon intercropping promoted growth, increased chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis of watermelon. Meanwhile, wheat and watermelon intercropping inhibited watermelon Fusarium wilt occurrence, decreased spore numbers, increased root vigor, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in watermelon roots. Additionally, wheat and watermelon intercropping enhanced the bacterial colonies and total microbes growth in soil, decreased fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) colonies, and increased soil enzyme activities in watermelon rhizosphere soil. Our results indicated that wheat and watermelon intercropping enhanced watermelon growth and decreased the incidence of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. These effects could be due to intercropping inducing physiological changes, regulating soil enzyme activities, and/or modulating soil microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing lucerne (Medicago sativa) in dryland conditions poses challenges due to unpredictable rainy seasons and seedling vulnerability. A potential solution is adopting a nurse crop during the first year in the same field. This study aimed to assess the impact of wheat as a nurse crop and crop residue on lucerne establishment in South Africa's Mediterranean climate region. The experiment employed a split-plot design with two treatment factors across six blocks. Half of the area received wheat straw, while the rest had low residue content with almost bare soil. The nurse crop combinations included wheat alone, lucerne alone, and a wheat-lucerne mixture. Results revealed competition between wheat and lucerne when planted together. When plant populations, total biomass, wheat grain yield and grain quality were considered, wheat performed better in pure stands, as did lucerne when grown without wheat. Germination of lucerne was significantly impacted by high crop residue levels. Wheat achieved superior grain yield without crop residue, despite producing less biomass. Results indicated that it is advisable to avoid using a nurse cropping system for lucerne in this Mediterranean climate region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change significantly affects crop production and is a threat to global food security. Conventional tillage (CT) is the primary tillage practice in rain-fed areas to conserve soil moisture. Despite previous research on the effect of tillage methods on different cropping systems, a comparison of tillage methods on soil water storage, crop yield and crop water use in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) under different soil textures, precipitation and temperature patterns is needed. We reviewed 119 published articles and used meta-analysis to assess the effects of three conservation tillage practices (NT, no-tillage; RT, reduced tillage; ST, subsoil tillage), on precipitation storage efficiency (PSE), soil water storage at crop planting (SWSp), grain yield, evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) under varying precipitation and temperature patterns and soil textures in dryland wheat and maize, with CT as the control treatment. Conservation tillage methods increased PSE, SWSp, grain yield, ET and WUE in both winter wheat-fallow and spring maize cropping systems. More precipitation water was conserved in fine-textured soils than in medium-textured and coarse-textured soils, which improved ET. Conservation tillage increased soil water conservation and yield under high mean annual precipitation (MAP) and moderate mean annual temperature (MAT) conditions in winter wheat. However, soil water conservation and yield were greater under MAP <400 mm and moderate MAT. We conclude that conservation tillage could be promising for increasing precipitation storage, soil water conservation and crop yield in regions with medium to low MAPs and medium to high MATs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rice-wheat cropping system is the prevailing agricultural method in the North-Western states of India, namely in the Indo-Gangetic plains. The practice of open burning of rice residue is frequently employed for expedient land preparation, but it has significant adverse impacts on both the environment and human health. These include the emission of greenhouse gases, loss of nutrients, elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM), and disruption of the biological cycle. This research aims to investigate the implementation of effective management strategies in the rice-wheat cropping system, namely via the use of tillage-based crop cultivation techniques, stubble retention, and integration approaches. The objective is to enhance soil health features in order to augment crop yield and improve its attributes. Results: The research was carried out using a split plot experimental design, consisting of three replications. The main plot consisted of four different cultivation methods, while the subplot included three genotypes of both rice and wheat. The research demonstrates the enhanced efficacy of residue application is significantly augmenting soil nutrient concentrations compared to standard tillage practices (P < 0.05). This was accomplished by an analysis of soil nutrient levels, namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic carbon (OC), at a depth of 0–15 cm. The implementation of natural farming, zero tillage, and reduced tillage practices resulted in decreases in rice grain yields of 34.0%, 16.1%, and 10.8%, respectively, as compared to conventional tillage methods. Similarly, the implementation of natural farming, zero tillage, and reduced tillage resulted in reductions in wheat grain yields of 59.4%, 10.9%, and 4.6% respectively, in comparison to conventional tillage practices. Conclusion: Regarding the individual crop genotypes investigated, it was continuously observed that Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 and HPW 368 displayed considerably greater grain yields for both rice and wheat during the two-year experimental period. Furthermore, when considering different cultivation methods, conventional tillage emerged as the most effective approach for obtaining higher productivity in both rice and wheat. Additionally, Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 and HPW 368 exhibited superior performance in terms of various crucial yield components for rice (such as panicle density, grains per panicle, panicle weight, and test weight) and wheat (including effective tiller density, grains per spike, spike weight, and 1000-grain weight). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative management practices are needed to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector by enhancing soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks, which serve as major reservoirs of C and N in the terrestrial ecosystem. The effect of cropping systems and N fertilization rates were examined on soil organic C (SOC) and soil total N (STN) stocks at the 0–120 cm depth from 2011 to 2018 in a dryland farm in the US northern Great Plains. Cropping systems were no-till continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NTCW), no-till spring wheat–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (NTWP), no-till spring wheat–fallow (NTWF), and conventional till spring wheat–fallow (CTWF) and N fertilization rates were 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1 applied to spring wheat. The SOC and STN were greater for NTWP than other cropping systems at most N fertilization rates and depth layers. Increasing N fertilization rate increased SOC at 0–30 cm for NTWP and NTCW, but had a variable effect on STN for various cropping systems and soil depths. The NTWP with 50–100 kg N ha−1 can enhance SOC and STN at 0–30 cm compared to other cropping systems and N fertilization rates in the US northern Great Plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive agriculture that is used in many countries has led to a reduction in biodiversity and the deterioration of the environment. Therefore, it is important to increase the adoption of cropping systems with high biodiversity. The objectives of the present study were the following: 1. assess the performance and sustainability of novel highly diversified production systems compared to the current traditional system and 2. provide quantitative economic and ecosystem service information for farmers, extension workers, and policy makers in order to support the development of sustainable and resilient high species cultivar/landrace diversification (HSD) production systems. The rotation of wheat–pea–barley was a system with low energy inputs and high outputs, significantly increasing the energy efficiency. Also, the same system demonstrated better economic and environmental indices, making it a suitable cropping system for Mediterranean areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Computer-based crop simulation models are important tools for agricultural research and management. APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator) is commonly used around the world but has not been widely validated in North America. Aims. The objective of this work was to evaluate the reliability of APSIM for simulating wheat production in California, with the aim of providing guidance for future field research aimed at model calibration and validation. Methods. Environmental and management data from state-wide wheat variety trials of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were used to parameterise the APSIM-Wheat module (ver. 7.10 r4220). Simulated yield and protein data were compared with observed field trial results to test the reliability of APSIM simulations. Key results. The most reliable simulation of grain yield had a root-mean-square error of 1040 kg/ha and normalised root-mean-square error of 16% relative to actual field data. Preliminary calibration of the model for Californian wheat varieties did not improve simulation accuracy or precision. Conclusions. The accuracy or precision of the simulations was comparable to that of other tests of the APSIM-Wheat module in environments where it has not been previously calibrated but was considered too low to be reliable. The lack of reliability was due to the poor representation of local Californian wheat genotypes by existing APSIM cultivars, as well as possible lack of precision and accuracy of field data. Implications. APSIM could be a valuable tool for wheat research and management in California; however, further research is needed to generate suitable field data for model calibration and validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the economic performance of rainfed cropping systems endemic to the Southern Great Plains under weed competition. Cropping systems include tilled and no-till wheat-fallow, wheat-soybean, and wheat-sorghum rotations. Net returns from systems are compared under different levels of weed pressure. Producers operating over longer planning horizons would choose to double-crop regardless of the tillage method used and weed pressure level. Producers operating under shorter planning horizons would implement wheat-fallow systems when weed pressure is high and double crop when weed pressure is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing water scarcity and the demand for sustainable agriculture, precise estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ET) is crucial for effective irrigation management, crop yield assessment, and equitable water distribution, particularly in semi-arid regions. In this study, a large aperture scintillometer (LAS) was used to validate the remote sensing-based ET model SETMI (Spatial Evapotranspiration Modeling Interface) in an irrigated maize-wheat cropping system in a semi-arid region at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Results obtained by the SETMI model depicted modeled surface energy fluxes compared well with LAS field data, showing a very high R2 (0.83–0.95) and NRMSE (8–29%). The SETMI model performed better in the case of the maize crop than the wheat crop in field experiments. Further, the SETMI model was employed at the regional level using high-resolution Sentinel-2 to estimate the regional water productivity of wheat crops over a semi-arid region in India. The estimated regional, seasonal wheat actual ET mainly ranged between 101 mm and 325 mm. The regional wheat water productivity varied from 0.9 kg m−3 to 2.20 kg m−3. Our research reveals that the SETMI model can give reliable estimates of regional wheat water productivity by examining its spatial and temporal fluctuations and facilitating the creation of regional benchmark values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) predominates, producing large quantity of crop residue and its management is major concern. Farmers usually burn the residue to clear the field for succeding crop, and burning damages soil microbes, resulted in loss of soil organic matter. Hence, current study was conducted to assess the impact of different Happy seeder based residue management options on changes in microbial dynamics, enzyme activities and soil organic matter content and also to know that alternative method for attaining sustainable wheat productivity in sandy loam soils of Haryana, India. Results revealed that Zero tillage wheat (ZTW) with partial and full residue retention treatments sown with Happy seeder (after using chopper and spreader), and ZTW with anchored stubbles significantly enhanced soil microbial count by 47.9–60.4%, diazotropic count by 59.0–73.1% and actinomycetes count by 47.3–55.2%, grain yield by 9.8–11.3% and biomass yield by 7.4–9.6% over conventional tilled (CT) residue burning and residue removal plots. ZTW sown with surface retention of rice crop residue increased the organic carbon by 0.36–0.42% and the soil moisture content by 13.4–23.6% over CTW without residue load. Similarly, ZTW sown with Happy seeder with full residue enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity from 95.3 µg TPF g−1 soil 24 h−1 in 2018–2019 to 98.6 µg TPF g−1 soil 24 h−1 in 2019–2020 over control plots. Likely, microbial population and enzymatic activity showed strong positive correlation under variable residue retention practices. However, increased microbial population reduced the soil pH from 7.49 to 7.27 under ZTW with residue retention plots. The wheat yield enhanced by 9.8–11.3% during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 under ZTW with Happy seeder with full residue load over residue burning and residue removal plots. ZTW sown with Happy seeder under full residue retention, achieved maximum net return 43.16–57.08 × 103 ₹ ha−1) and B-C ratio (1.52 to 1.70) over CTW without residue. Therefore, rice residue needs to be managed by planting wheat using appropriate machinery under ZT for sustaining higher productivity in RWCS and improve soil health and environment under IGP regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Beta-glucan is one of the most important dietary fibers in cereal grains, having a great impact on human health and food quality. Wheat and barley are strategic crops and their fibers contribute toward their nutraceutical impact. However, the health of the environment is also important to ensure sustainable crop production. Hence the European decision makers have agreed to move toward organic cropping and to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers. Environment and agricultural management have a vast impact on the content of β-glucan in cereal grains. To exploit the valuable properties of β-glucan, the knowledge of factors increasing the amount of this component is crucial. We hypothesized that annual weather conditions, nitrogen fertilization, and cropping system affect the β-glucan amount in wheat and barley. Methods: For this purpose, spring barley and winter wheat flour samples from an 8-year-long period (2014-2021) were characterized. The experiment included conventional and organic cropping systems with different nitrogen rates between 0 and 150 kg ha−1. In addition, the variation of β-glucan content in different varieties was analyzed. Results and discussion: The results showed that the content of β-glucan in barley and wheat grains was affected mainly by weather conditions not by fertilization. The latter finding means that the regulation of crop nutrition is not going to impact dietary fiber content in our everyday food. Lower temperatures during tillering and higher 1,000 kernel weight and test weight showed a positive correlation with β-glucan content in barley grains, while precipitation during the grain filling period had a negative correlation. Our findings suggest that β-glucan can be obtained from low-input and organic systems as efficiently as from fertilized treatments. However, there is a need for adaptation strategies in industry, as β-glucan content can vary from year to year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of degradation of soil health, environmental pollution, and yield stagnation in the rice–wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia, an experiment was established in split plot design to assess the long-term effect of crop residue management on productivity and phosphorus requirement of wheat in rice–wheat system. The experiment comprised of six crop residue management practices as the main treatment factor with three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1) of phosphorus fertilizer as sub-treatments. Significant improvement in soil aggregation, bulk density, and infiltration rate was observed under residue management (retention/incorporation) treatments compared to residue removal or residue burning. Soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrient content (N, P, and K), microbial count, and enzyme activities were also significantly higher in conservation tillage and residue-treated plots than without residue/burning treatments. The residue derived from both crops when was either retained/incorporated improved the soil organic carbon (0.80%) and resulted in a significant increase in SOC (73.9%) in the topsoil layer as compared to the conventional practice. The mean effect studies revealed that crop residue management practices and phosphorus levels significantly influenced wheat yield attributes and productivity. The higher grain yield of wheat was recorded in two treatments, i.e. the basal application of 60 kg P2O5 ha–1 without residue incorporation and the other with half the P-fertilizer (30 kg P2O5 ha–1) with rice residue only. The grain yield of wheat where the rice and wheat residue were either retained/incorporated without phosphorus application was at par with 30 and 60 kg P2O5ha–1. Phosphorus levels also significantly affected wheat productivity and available P content in the soil. Therefore, results suggested that crop residue retention following the conservation tillage approach improved the yield of wheat cultivated in the rice–wheat cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop diversification has been proposed as a promising strategy for transitioning towards sustainable agricultural systems. The Hetao Irrigation District faces multiple challenges in ensuring food security and farmer livelihood. A diversified green manure inclusive cropping system was designed to evaluate the influences of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) incorporation on soil nutrients, yield, and economic benefit compared to the existing wheat–maize–sunflower rotation system in the Hetao Irrigation District. The specific method was as follows: spring wheat (Triticum-durum L.)–vetch rotation in the first year, maize (Zea mays L.)/vetch intercropping in the second year, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)/vetch relay intercropping in the third year. Over a 6-year experimental observation, green manure incorporation significantly increased soil alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen and exchangeable potassium levels. Although the effect of green manure incorporation on the yield of rotated spring wheat and intercropped maize was not prominent, it improved sunflower yield in the second rotation cycle by 11%. Consequently, only the sunflower led to an increase in income of 235 CNY ha−1 in the second rotation cycle. This indicates that the soil-property-building and yield-enhancing effects of green manure incorporation require time to accumulate. However, the benefits derived from increased yield were not sufficient to offset the production costs associated with green manure cultivation, resulting in less-than-desirable economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils are termed 'suppressive' when they can limit the emergence and propagation of plant diseases. However, little is known regarding what factors determine suppressiveness and whether they could be improved for a given soil. Agricultural practices, such as tillage systems, influence the properties of the soil, and could be a lever to improve soil suppression of pathogens. In this study, we investigated the impact of soil type and crop management practices on soil suppressiveness towards Fusarium graminearum, a major winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) pathogen. As it is transmitted via crop residues left on soil, F. graminearum is susceptible to soil suppression. Soil suppressiveness has been evaluated in more than a 100 sampled fields in the Limagne plain (Puy-de-Dôme, France), to represent a great diversity of soil types (either calcisol, vertisol or fluvisol) and cropping systems (organic, reduced tillage or intensive cropping systems). The physicochemical composition of the sampled soils and crop management practices, identified through farmer surveys, were included in a generalized linear mixed-effect model to explain soil fungistasis. A fungistasis test was performed by putting a plug of PDA-agar inoculated with Fusarium in contact with the soil and measuring the area of fungal growth. This test revealed a wide variety of soil fungistatic properties, ranging from conducive soils (22% of soil covered by fungal growth) to very suppressive soils (1% of soil covered). Suppressiveness was related to soil perennial properties (p-value <.001) rather than practices. Overall, these results show that soil type and composition play a key role in fungistasis, and that soil suppressiveness is a complex, multifactorial process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dryland Mediterranean Vertisols, split nitrogen (N) application is usual in wheat crops. Because of the high clay content of these soils and the low rainfall, a single application might offer ecological and economic benefits without yield loss. We conducted a 5-year study as part of a long-term experiment and compared the split application of N (50% at tillering, 50% at stem elongation phase) with a single application (tillering) in 10 cropping systems resulting from the combination of type of cultivation (no-till and conventional tillage) and 2-year crop rotations (wheat-wheat, wheat-fallow, wheat-chickpea, wheat-faba bean and wheat-sunflower). Depending on the system × crop rotation interaction, a single application of 100 or 150 kg N ha-1 maintained grain yield, protein content and apparent N recovery, with no effect on nitrate content compared with a traditional split application. The average grain yield did not differ between split and single application of N (3.27 and 3.23 Mg ha-1, respectively, for single and split application of 100 kg N ha-1 rate; 3.46 and 3.40 Mg ha-1, respectively, for single and split application of 150 kg N ha-1 rate). The soil nitrate concentration at pre-seeding in the 0-0.3 m layer showed similar results, except in the case of the wheat-faba rotation, with lower nitrate concentration in the sub-subplots of single application and no-till. This work shows that adopting the single N application strategy in rotations on Mediterranean dryland Vertisols will reduce economic and environmental costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining crop residue through no‐tillage (NT) has allowed increased water storage and continuous cropping in dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)‐based systems. However, there is little information regarding nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates for a continuous NT wheat cropping system across various yield environments. The main objective of this study was to determine agronomic optimum N rates for a continuous NT wheat in different yield environments. The study was conducted from 1981 through 2003 at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, with six N fertilizer rate treatments (0, 22, 45, 67, 90, and 112 kg N ha−1). Experimental years were divided into four yield environments: very low yielding (VLY), low yielding (LY), high yielding (HY), and very high yielding (VHY). Results showed that LY environments required a relatively greater N amount (79–98 kg N ha−1) than HY to VHY environments (72–73 kg N ha−1) to attain optimal yields. The optimal yields at low‐yield environments were smaller (1184–1654 kg ha−1) than in high‐yield environments (2181–2733 kg ha−1). Protein yield increased by 120 g for 1 kg increase in grain yield. We concluded that the optimum N fertilizer rates for continuous NT wheat ranged from 70 to 100 kg N ha−1, but these rates should be adjusted based on yield environments. Core Ideas: Optimal N rate was greater in low‐yield (79–98 kg N ha−1) than high‐yield (72–73 kg N ha−1) environments.Yields at optimal N rate for low‐yield (1184–1654 kg ha−1) were less than high‐yield (2181–2733 kg ha−1) environments.Protein yield increased by 120 g for 1 kg increase in grain yield.No‐tillage N rates should be adjusted based on yield environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest in perennial crops to build soil carbon (C), but the mechanisms underlying soil C accrual in perennial croplands remain unclear, especially over time in the first years of perennial crop growth. To address this gap, research is needed that directly tracks intra-annual C fluxes through crop-microbial-soil pools, evaluating the capacity of perennial crops to build soil C over intra-decadal time periods. We conducted a 13C isotope-tracer study to compare within-season C uptake and crop-microbial-soil C partitioning patterns between 1-year-old (IWG-1) and 2-year-old (IWG-2) stands of a novel perennial grain crop, intermediate wheatgrass (IWG; Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth and Dewey). We compared these to a common annual grain crop, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Crop shoots, roots, soil, and soil respired-C were sampled ten times over a 90-day chase period. We also measured the incorporation of recently assimilated 13C into soil microbial biomass (13C PLFA) and functional groups over the first 7 days post-label application. Overall, IWG-1 assimilated almost 1670 mg 13C m−2 during the study period, nearly twice that of IWG-2 or wheat, but neither IWG system retained significant amounts of new C in soil. Rather, a higher proportion of assimilated new C was retained in IWG-1 in root tissues (14%) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi when compared to other cropping systems, while IWG-2 retained almost 50% of total assimilated C in aboveground crop tissues. We expect the shift from new C retention in belowground root-mycorrhizal networks to aboveground tissues is associated with a shift from an acquisitive to conservative growth strategy that occurs between the first and second IWG production years. The observed shift in C partitioning patterns and potential change in growth strategy limited the allocation and retention of new C in soil as IWG aged, adding valuable context to our understanding of why perennial grain crop establishment seldom leads to significant carbon gains in the first several years following establishment. • 13C-CO 2 labelling revealed age-related changes in perennial grain C partitioning • 1st-year perennial grain retained new C in roots, but little new C retained in soil • Sharp decline in new C uptake and belowground retention in 2nd-year perennial grain • Changes in primary microbial consumers of new C observed between 1st- and 2nd-year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manure with appropriate amount of chemical nitrogen fertilizer can increase crop yield, but also aggravate soil carbon emissions. However, it is unclear whether incorporation of green manure into the cropping pattern with reduced nitrogen amount can alleviate this situation and enhance carbon sequestration potential. So, a field experiment with split-plot design was set up in 2018 of northwest China, and studied the effects of nitrogen reduction on crop productivity, carbon emissions, and carbon sequestration potential in 2021–2023. The main plots were two cropping patterns, including multiple cropped green manure after wheat harvest (W-G) and fallow after wheat harvest (W). Three nitrogen application levels formed the split-plots, including local conventional nitrogen amount (N3, 180 kg ha−1), nitrogen amount reduced by 15% (N2, 153 kg ha−1) and 30% (N3, 126 kg ha−1). The results showed that W-G increased grain yield of wheat and energy yield of wheat multiple cropped green manure pattern. The multiple cropped green manure after wheat harvest with local conventional nitrogen amount reduced by 15% (W-GN2) had the significant increasing-effect, and increased grain yield of wheat by 9.6% and increased total energy yields by 39.3% compared to fallow after wheat harvest with local conventional nitrogen amount (W–N3). Relative to W–N3, W-GN2 did not significantly increase carbon emissions of wheat season, and increased total carbon emissions of cropping pattern by 11.1%. Compared to multiple cropped green manure after wheat harvest with local conventional nitrogen amount (W-GN3), W-GN2 decreased carbon emissions by 5.8% in wheat season and decreased by 3.9% in the whole cropping pattern. Therefore, W-GN2 gained high carbon emission efficiency based on grain yield, and were 9.9% and 11.2% higher than W–N3 and W-GN3, respectively. In addition, W-GN2 enhanced soil total nitrogen, carbon, and organic carbon contents, compared with W–N3, thus increasing soil carbon sequestration potential index (net primary productivity/carbon emissions). We conclude that multiple cropped leguminous green manure after wheat harvest with local conventional nitrogen amount reduced by 15% can enhance crop productivity and carbon sequestration potential of farmland in arid areas. [Display omitted] • Wheat multi-cropped green manure with reduced N by 15% (W-GN2) increased wheat yield. • W-GN2 alleviated soil carbon emission (CE) and improved carbon emission efficiency. • W-GN2 increased soil total nitrogen, total carbon, and organic carbon contents. • W-GN2 improved soil carbon sequestration and NPP/CE value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw return is an effective measure to promote sustainable agriculture by significantly improving soil fertility. At present, few studies have been conducted on the most effective carbon enhancing management measures for various crops. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis using data collected from 184 literature sources, comprising 3297 data sets to analyze the carbon increase effects of straw returning in three main crops (rice, maize, and wheat) in China and to explore the influence mechanism of natural factors, soil properties, straw return measures, and cropping systems on the carbon enhancement effect. The study showed that straw return significantly increased soil organic carbon and the rate of increase was higher for wheat at 15.88% (14.74%–17.03%) than for rice at 12.7% (11.5%–13.91%) and maize at 12.42% (11.42%–13.42%), with varying degrees of improvement in other soil physicochemical properties. Natural factors have the greatest impact on the carbon increasing effect of rice fields, reaching 28.8%, especially at temperature between 10 °C and 15 °C, less than 800 mm precipitation, low latitude, and short frost-free period. Maize and wheat are most affected by soil properties, reaching 41% and 34.5% respectively. Furthermore, field management practices also play a pivotal role, organic carbon increasing obviously was observed when the C/N ratio of exogenous nutrients is bigger than 20 with the low initial organic matter. Shallow tillage and less than 7.5 t hm−2 straw returning with 3–10 years to the field are ideal for rice and maize. Crop rotation, especially in drylands, increased soil organic carbon more significantly than continuous. The results of our analysis can provide valuable insights into the effect of straw return on carbon increase. In the future, the soil carbon can be improved by adopting rational cropping patterns and straw return measures with taking into account climate and soil characteristics for different crops. [Display omitted] • The effects of straw return on soil organic carbon in three major crops were studied using meta-analysis. • SOC levels significantly increased for rice, maize, and wheat after straw return. • The impact of natural factors, soil properties, straw return measures, and cropping systems varied for different crops. • The increase in SOC for rice was largely influenced by natural factors, while for maize and wheat by soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dominant rice-wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plain faces challenges of water depletion and nitrogen pollution of groundwater as well as declining productivity caused by over irrigation and nitrogen fertilization by the farmers. To appreciate the apt use of irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer in rice and wheat crops it is essential to explore the water and nitrogen balances as well as dynamics in these crops, involving complex interaction between weather, soil, irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer management. The objective of the study is to quantify yield, field water balance components, water use efficiency, water productivity, water footprint, and water and nitrogen dynamics of rice and wheat crops in relation to season, varieties, irrigation regimes and nitrogen levels. Field experimentations were conducted in double split plot design along with calibrated and validated HYDRUS 1D model use for two years comprising of treatments in rice i.e. two varieties (PR122-V 1 and PR126-V 2), two irrigation regimes (2-days drainage period-I 1 and soil water suction 16 kPa-I 2) and two nitrogen levels (120-N 1 and 90-N 2 kg N ha−1); and in wheat, two varieties (Unnat PBW343-V 1 and Unnat PBW550-V 2), two irrigation (1.2 IW/CPE-I 1 and 0.9 IW/CPE-I 2) regimes and two nitrogen levels (120-N 1 and 90-N 2 kg N ha−1). The highest grain yield recorded was 7.6 t ha−1 in treatment combination of V 1 I 2 N 1 in rice and 5.4 t ha−1 in V 1 I 1 N 1 in wheat owing to better plant growth and yield attributes (biomass production, number of effective tillers, panicle length, and 1000 grain weight). Total water footprints were lower in the treatment combination of V 1 I 1 N 1 in rice and V 1 I 2 N 1 in wheat. The water budget revealed a higher percent contribution of the total water input to drainage (62 %) in rice ensuing restoration of water in the soil profile; and to evapotranspiration (ET) (100 %) in wheat ensuing water depletion. Modeling water and nitrogen dynamics showed higher root water uptake in I 2 treatment in rice and with I 1 treatment in wheat; and leaching losses of NO 3 -N under rice than wheat; and under I 2 treatment than I 1 as well as in N 1 than N 2. The V 1 I 2 N 1 treatment in rice and V 1 I 1 N 1 treatment in wheat demonstrated superior grain yield, soil water storage, and root water uptake. Conversely, V 1 I 1 N 1 treatment in rice and V 1 I 2 N 1 treatment in wheat showed higher water use efficiency and lower water footprint. It helps to evaluate the effectiveness of irrigation and nitrogen management strategies in maximizing crop productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. • HYDRUS 1D could be used for the water and nitrogen dynamics during crop growth period. • Short duration varieties + irrigation scheduling + optimal nitrogen reduced total water footprint and nitrogen losses. • In rice wheat cropping system, rice contributed 70 % of the total water footprint. • Drainage losses accounted for 61 % in rice and 27 % in wheat of total water input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current context of food security and global geopolitical crises calls for proactive efforts to seek adaptive strategies for limited resources in agriculture. The production of phosphatic-based fertilisers has caused a substantial depletion of natural phosphorus (P) reserves, raising concerns about price increases due to the growing demand for P. The aim of the study is to assess whether the use of liquid organo-mineral P-complexes can be an adaptive strategy to address the issue of the limited P-fertiliser resource. A complete randomised block design was implemented with three replicates, spanning two contrasting cropping seasons under a Mediterranean climate with reduced tillage and rainfed conditions. The study aimed to assess the response of a durum wheat–maize rotation to various rates of liquid organo-mineral P-complexes (humic-complexed phosphate; HCP) in comparison to granular triple superphosphate (TSP). The evaluation focused on several parameters, including P availability, plant architecture, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and yield components and P use efficiency (PUE) for both durum wheat and maize. The results revealed that applying HCP at a rate of 4 or 8 kg ha−1 increased soil P availability on average by 66% and 144%, respectively, compared to the control (no P-fertilisation), although a significant interaction with the monitoring year emerged. For wheat, applying HCP at a rate of 8 kg ha−1 of P resulted in higher grain yield (+15%), protein content (+0.9%) and P uptake (+48%) than the control on average considering both monitoring years. In the season characterised by favourable rainfall patterns, the application of HCP at 5 or 10 kg ha−1 of P for maize showed similar effects in terms of soil P availability, dry matter accumulation, grain yields and PUE. Conversely, in the season marked by a deficiency in summer precipitation, low PUE for maize was observed for HCP fertilisers, although they remained positive, unlike the case of TSP. Using HCP in conservation agriculture appears promising as an adaptive solution to address P-fertiliser scarcity, especially amid food security challenges and global crises. However, further studies are required to validate these findings in diverse pedo-climatic contexts and cropping systems. • Humic complexed P fertiliser (HCP) enhances soil P availability, especially at 0–10 cm depth. • HCP resulted in a general higher maize and wheat grain yield and crops P efficiency. • HCP is promising in the context of conservation agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat production is impacted by increasing temperature at key developmental stages, potentially leading towards crop failure or reduction in yields. Process based crop simulations models can be useful tools for developing adaptation options and strategies for managing high temperature conditions, but the models must firstly be well-tested. The main objective of this study was to test APSIM-wheat under a diverse range of experimental treatments for simulating crop response to high temperature conditions. The APSIM-wheat model was parameterised, calibrated and validated under a diverse range of treatments including multiple factors (4 N rates x 2 sowing dates x 2 agro-climates) in high temperature conditions. The model was unable to adequately simulate crop phenology and production until we modified what are currently key species-specific parameters, not varietal parameters (governing thermal time and leaf senescence) to improve model behaviour in high temperature conditions. The improved model simulated observed crop phenology (days to anthesis and physiological maturity) and production (biomass and grain yield) of our validation datasets with high R2, EF and low RMSEs, RSR values. Subsequently, the model was also able to simulate cropping system performance (a maize-wheat rotation with different N rates and sowing dates) markedly well within the bounds of observed experimental error. We believe this robust improvement and testing approach has made APSIM useful in simulating wheat crop response to high temperature conditions, and therefore for ongoing research into different agronomic management practices (notably crop response to N-rate and sowing date) under prevailing and future climate conditions, however, calls into question the arbitrary split between species and varietal parameters in APSIM-Wheat. The improved version of APSIM-wheat is now a suitable tool for scenario analyses under elevated temperatures (climate change) and subsequent investigations of wheat crop response to N and sowing date under these conditions. [Display omitted] • Robust testing of the APSIM-wheat model under high temperature conditions was performed. • Two parameters which are currently species-specific in APSIM, required modification. • This research calls for consideration of which APSIM-wheat parameters should be considered species- and variety-specific. • The improved version of APSIM is better-suited to simulate high-temperature wheat crop response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rice-wheat cropping system the emerging Super Seeder (SS) is a tractor operated single pass solution to incorporate the standing and loose paddy residues into soil without burning, prepares land and concurrently sows wheat seed.This study was conducted during 2022 to assess the pros and cons of SS for wheat sowing as well as to compare the economics of wheat production to conventional tillage/broadcasting method (CT). As the SS has not been adopted on large scale to find out its adopters easily; therefore, twenty innovative farmers were included in sampling f rame with non-probability sampling procedure for field survey as well as six field experiments were conducted in Gujranwala zone, Pakistan to evaluate four sowing techniques, i.e., CT, happy seeder, ridge sowing and SS with Randomized Complete Block Design. As compared to CT the SS has been estimated as resource conservation technique regarding sowing time (62.50%), irrigation time (7.69%), seed cost (14%), fertilizer cost (10.81%), and fuel cost (58.33%) with the constrained requirement of higher hp tractor (preferably 85 hp) for sowing operation. An increased wheat yield (13.11%) was estimated with SS (3450 kg ha-1) as compared to CT (3050 kg ha-1) in rice-wheat cropping system. The more net returns (36.15%) were calculated by SS with higher benefit cost ratio value (2.81) as compared to CT with lower value (2.16). Similarly, based on the field experiments data the SS resulted in significantly higher values of emergence count (211 m-2), productive tillers (322 m-2), grains count (38.93 spike-1), 1000 grains weight (38.91 g) and grains yield (3497 kg ha-1) delineating more yield (13.10%) over the CT. Thus, SS has conserved soil moisture, increased soil organic matter, better soil tilth and enhanced fertilizer uptake efficiency which ultimately increased the yield over the other comparative wheat sowing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous monitoring of soil quality is vital to understand the effects and to identify best management practices for sustainable agroecosystems. This study focuses on evaluating the soil quality and crop yield sustainability in a long-term maize-wheat cropping system experiment spanning 47 years. Physical, chemical, and biological soil quality indicators were assessed at two soil depths (0–0.15 m and 0.15–0.30 m) under eleven fertilizer and amendment regimes i.e., 50 % NPK, 100 % NPK, 150 % NPK, 100 % NPK + Zn, 100 % NPK+ hand weeding, 100 % NP, 100 % N, 100 % NPK + farmyard manure (FYM), 100 % NPK(S), 100 % NPK + lime and control, laid out in a completely randomized block design. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to select a minimum data set (MDS) of indicators for soil quality assessment, followed by weighted additive approach to calculate the soil quality index (SQI). Results showed that balanced dose of NPK fertilizers, in combination with FYM or lime, enhanced average wheat grain yield by 39.9 and 29.4 % over sole 100 % NPK fertilizers, respectively. Treatment 100 % NPK + FYM recorded a significant improvement in aggregate stability, available nutrients, microbial biomass over control and 100 % NPK. The highest value of SQI (0–0.15 m) was recorded in 100 % NPK + FYM (0.99), followed by 100 % NPK + lime (0.86) and lowest in 100 % N (0.41). Omission of NPK, PK, K and S from fertilizer regime caused a decline of respective 33, 39, 22 and 6 % in the SQI, whereas, all the treatments recorded a decline in SQI in sub-surface layer. The average contribution of MDS towards the SQI of 0–0.15 and 0.15–0.30 m depth was labile carbon (LC) (30 %) > microbial biomass N (MBN) (28 %) > mean weight diameter (MWD) (17 %) > pH (16 %) > available K (6 %) and LC (33 %) > N mineralization (24 %) > MWD (22 %) > pH (21 %), respectively. The SQI positively correlated with average grain yield and SYI, highlighting the importance of soil quality for sustainable crop production. This research underscores the significance of continuous soil quality monitoring and use of balanced fertilization, organic manure and lime in maintaining soil health and crop productivity in agroecosystems. • Balanced NPK fertilizers with FYM or lime increased the wheat yield by 39.9 and 29.4 %, respectively. • Continuous urea application rendered the soil unproductive. • Labile carbon was the major contributor towards the soil quality index. • Soil quality index correlated positively with grain yield and sustainable yield index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop-associated fungi play an important role in agroecosystems. However, a comprehensive understanding of the ecological mechanisms governing fungal community assembly is lacking. Here, we established a wheat (Triticum aestivum) and oat (Avena sativa) cropping system and sampled crop associated fungal communities under different water stresses. The results show that fungal community assembly in the soil-plant continuum is mainly determined by host niches rather than water stress and genotype. However, within the same host niche, water stress and genotype significantly influenced the assembly of fungal communities. This finding was further supported by the network complexity and dissimilarity-overlap analysis. Epiphytes and leaf endosphere exhibited a complex network structure, characterized by strong positive interactions among the members of the mycobiome. The network complexity of the phylloplane increased under drought stress. The analysis of microbial source tracking revealed that the fungi in the roots primarily originated from the bulk soil, while most fungi in the leaves originated from unknown sources under different water stress. In addition, crop mycobiome was governed by a few dominant taxa, with Sordariomycetes identified as an important biomarker taxon for roots and Trichosporonales for leaves. This study provides comprehensive empirical evidence on the assembly mechanisms of crop fungal communities. • Fungal community assembly in the soil-plant continuum is mainly determined by host niches. • Epiphytes exhibited the most complex network structure, with strong positive interactions. • Soil is the primary source of root fungi, while foliar fungi come from many sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid rising energy crises and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, designing energy efficient, GHG mitigation and profitable conservation farming strategies are pertinent for global food security. Therefore, we tested a hypothesis that no-till with residue retaining could improve energy productivity (EP) and energy use efficiency (EUE) while mitigating the carbon footprint (CF), water footprint (WF) and GHG emissions in rice-wheat double cropping system. We studied two tillage viz., conventional and conservation, with/without residue retaining, resulting as CT0 (puddled-transplanted rice, conventional wheat -residue), CTR (puddled-transplanted rice, conventional wheat + residue), NT0 (direct seeded rice, zero-till wheat -residue), and NTR (direct seeded rice, zero-till wheat + residue). The overall results showed that the NTR/NT0 had 34% less energy consumption and 1.2-time higher EP as compared to CTR/CT0. In addition, NTR increased 19.8% EUE than that of CT0. The grain yield ranged from 8.7 to 9.3 and 7.8–8.5 Mg ha−1 under CT and NT system, respectively. In NTR, CF and WF were 56.6% and 17.9% lower than that of CT0, respectively. The net GHG emissions were the highest (7261.4 kg CO 2 ha−1 yr−1) under CT0 and lowest (4580.9 kg CO 2 ha−1 yr−1) under NTR. Notably, the carbon sequestration under NTR could mitigate half of the system's CO 2 -eq emissions. The study results suggest that NTR could be a viable option to offset carbon emissions and water footprint by promoting soil organic carbon sequestration, and enhancing energy productivity and energy use efficiency in the South Asian Indo-Gangetic Plains. • Net GHG emissions were 58.5% greater in CT0 compared to NTR. • No-till with residue returning (NTR) decreased water and C footprints. • Overall, no-till had ∼18% less input cost than conventional tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of new cultivars for the agronomic performance under actual on-farm conditions is a highly recommended method for assessing the performance and stability of new cultivars in variable environments and under different management practices. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance and agronomic characteristics of new wheat cultivars in on-farm conditions using different tillage systems to provide suggestions to help the improvement programs and increase the farmers' crop productivity from cropping systems and new cultivars. Seven wheat cultivars, including three bread wheat and four durum wheat cultivars, were evaluated under three tillage systems, including conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no-tillage (NT) in farmers' fields conditions across two locations and three cropping seasons (2018–21). The results indicated that some of the traits were mainly explained by the genotype effect (thousand kernel weight, heading date and NDVI), while some others by the management practices (grain yield), some by the location (grain yield, spike density, heading date) and year (grain yield, TKW, NDVI, spike density, heading date) effects. Across years and locations, the highest productivity was recorded under CT (2603 kg/ha) followed by RT (2378 kg/ha) and NT (2295 kg/ha), indicating about 13% and 10% superiority production under CT compared with NT and RT, respectively. The wheat cultivars showed different responses to tillage systems, showing the performance of genotypes varied between tillage systems. The Shalan and Eminbey varieties did not interact with tillage systems, but other genotypes significantly differed in their adaptation to tillage systems. The highest mean yield was recorded for the Saji cultivar (durum wheat) under RT (2310 kg/ha), while the Shalan cultivar (bread wheat) performed well in NT (2058 kg/ha), and Saji, Imren, Zahab (durum wheat), and Rijaw and Paraw (bread wheat) had the highest yield under CT. According to GGE biplot analysis, the Shalan and Eminbey varieties had superior performance across on-farm trials, suggesting that they have a broad adaptation to diverse environments. The results identified genotypes with both specific and general adaptions to tillage systems in farmers' fields, that could be explored for increasing productivity and stability under rainfed conditions. Conservation agriculture principles must be incorporated into current wheat breeding program under CT system, to use wheat genetic diversity for conservation agriculture conditions to keep pace food insecurity. • The grain yield mainly affected by year followed by location, and tillage systems. • Genotypes well performed under conventional tillage system. • Genotypes with adaptation to no-tillage system were identified. • Under no-tillage system, variation in grain yield, 1000-kernel weight, and spike density showed low variability. • Wheat breeding under no-tillage system must be considered from preliminary yield trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sobol' method is used to evaluate the sensitivity of APSIM-Wheat yield predictions. • Yield is most sensitive to initial nitrogen amount, soil parameters, precipitation. • Estimated yield is influenced most by the limiting resource under given conditions. • Scenarios for high fertilization level or dry seasons have lower yield variability. The performance of cropping system models is often limited by uncertainties in model parameters and inputs. This study aims to explore how model yield prediction responds to these uncertainties under various environmental and management conditions. The Sobol' method was used to investigate the sensitivity of the Agricultural Production Systems SIMulator (APSIM)-Wheat yield prediction to the following factors: air temperature (maximum and minimum), precipitation, initial soil nitrogen content, nitrogen fertilization amount, and soil hydraulic parameters. Eighteen scenarios were defined to consider a combination of three weather conditions (wet, normal, and dry growing season, based on the historical climatology of the Wimmera district of Victoria, Australia), three soil types (sandy, loamy, and clayey soils), and two nitrogen fertilization applications (50 and 100 kg N/ha). Eight thousand APSIM simulations were used to calculate the first order and total sensitivity indices for each scenario. The effects of weather, soil water characteristics and nitrogen availability were estimated by measuring their impacts on sensitivity indices. Our results show that yield was more sensitive either to variables that control water availability (precipitation and soil type) or variables that control nitrogen availability, depending on which was more limiting to wheat growth under the scenario. For example, in case of low nitrogen fertilization scenario, the initial nitrogen content sensitivity ranked first. Variation of this factor contributed 64% to 79% to the variance in simulated yield for clayey soils, nearly four times higher than the second-ranked factor (nitrogen fertilization amount). Soil hydraulic parameters and precipitation were most important when the crop growth was more constrained by water availability than by nitrogen availability. In the case of sandy soils in dry years with high nitrogen fertilization level, soil parameters and precipitation accounted for 83% of the yield variability. Minimum temperature consistently ranked as the least important factor under all scenarios. This work will help researchers better understand the model inputs' impacts on the simulated yield variability under various soil, management, and weather conditions. The results also support agronomists and practitioners in the optimal use of the APSIM-Wheat model as a management tool. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]