Field Crops Research最新文献

{"title":"Integrated subsurface drip fertigation and residue management enhance maize resource-use efficiency in semi-arid agro-ecosystems","authors":"Arjun Singh,&nbsp;Anchal Dass,&nbsp;S. Sudhishri,&nbsp;V.K. Singh,&nbsp;Prameela Krishnan,&nbsp;Pravin K. Upadhyay,&nbsp;K. Shekhawat,&nbsp;R.N. Sahoo,&nbsp;S.S. Rathore,&nbsp;Ayekpam Dollina Devi,&nbsp;A.R. Devika","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110339","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110339","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Efficient resource management is crucial for sustaining maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) productivity in semi-arid Indo-Gangetic Plains, where water scarcity and nitrogen-use inefficiency limit yield potential. The present two-year field study (2022–2023) at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, investigated: (1) the influence of precision sub-surface drip fertigation (SSDF) of N and crop residue management on maize physiological performance and productivity, and (2) relationships between physio-biochemical parameters and grain yield of maize. Treatments included 0–100 % of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) delivered in 3 or 4 splits <em>via</em> SSDF (main-plot treatments), with or without greengram residue (3 t ha⁻¹) incorporation (sub-plot treatments), in comparison to conventional surface fertilization. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for a split-plot design. SSDF significantly (p &lt; 0.05) improved photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll status (SPAD), intercepted PAR (IPAR), and yield attributes. The treatment with100 % N delivered in 4 splits (100 % N-4S) recorded the highest net photosynthesis (31.9 µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹), SPAD (50.4), IPAR (1673 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and grain yield (6.7 t ha⁻¹), revealing 19.6–27.5 % higher yield over conventional practices. The treatment with 75 % N delivered in 4 splits (75 % N-4S) achieved a comparable yield (6.3–6.4 t ha⁻¹), enabling a 25 % nitrogen saving without loss in productivity. Residue incorporation enhanced stomatal conductance (↑9 %), transpiration efficiency (↑5 %), specific leaf nitrogen (↑5–9 %), and improved grain yield by 5.5 % (during the year 2022) and 9.8 % (during 2023) over no-residue. Additionally, PCA explained 65 % of the total trait variance, with key loadings from specific leaf area (SLA), SPAD, photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). These findings confirm that integrating SSDF with optimized N scheduling and residue management enhances maize resource-use efficiency and yield, offering a resilient, sustainable strategy in semi-arid agro-ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110339"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Banded application of single superphosphate and ammonium sulfate enhances phosphorus-use efficiency and maize productivity on the Loess Plateau of China","authors":"Yu Yang ,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Liu ,&nbsp;Qin Ma ,&nbsp;Huiyao Wu ,&nbsp;Victor O. Sadras ,&nbsp;Jinshan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110327","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110327","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Phosphorus (P) over-fertilization in rainfed maize systems of the Loess Plateau of China contributes to environmental pollution and low P use efficiency. This study assessed how the reduced P fertilization rates and different application methods influence maize yield, P use efficiency, root morphology, rhizosphere enzyme activity, and soil P fractions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Exp. 1 compared a P-unfertilized control (CK), a farmer’s practice (FP) at 52.4 kg P ha⁻¹, and a reduced rate of 30.6 kg P ha⁻¹ (RF) over four years. Exp. 2 included P-unfertilized control, broadcasted application of single superphosphate (RF), banded application of single superphosphate (BP), and banded application of single superphosphate plus ammonium sulfate (AS) over two years. Maize yield, P use efficiency, root morphology, rhizosphere enzyme activity, and soil P fractions were measured and analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In Exp. 1, reducing P fertilization to 30.6 kg ha⁻¹ (RF) maintained yield, grain P content, and aboveground P uptake compared to the farmer’s practice (FP). In Exp. 2, compared to broadcasted application of single superphosphate (RF), yield was significantly increased by banded application of single superphosphate (BP) and banded application of superphosphate plus ammonium sulfate (AS), with AS showing a 13 % increase over two years. The AS treatment also lowered rhizosphere pH, enhanced labile P pool, and improved root morphology, promoting P uptake. Root traits (total root length, volume, surface area, and average root diameter) at the V3, V10, and R1 stages were positively correlated with the β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, phosphatase activity, and NH₄⁺-N availability. Both random forest and Mantel analyses identified soil available P as the primary determinant of yield and P uptake. PLS-PM further revealed that the AS treatment enhanced yield chiefly via its effects on soil available P, enzyme activity, and root traits.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our results demonstrate that a tailored, low-input P management strategy, involving a 42 % reduction in P fertilization combined with banded application of superphosphate and ammonium sulfate enhances yield, improves P use efficiency, and optimizes soil conditions under maize dryland farming.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110327"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trade-offs and synergies in agroecosystem services with organic and integrated nutrient management in South Asian agri-food systems: Evidence from a meta-analysis","authors":"Dinesh Chand Meena ,&nbsp;Pratap Singh Birthal ,&nbsp;Kiran Kumara TM ,&nbsp;Anjani Kumar ,&nbsp;Vijay Singh Meena","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110325","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110325","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>The widespread and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, coupled with unsustainable farming practices, has degraded soil health, polluted water resources, reduced biodiversity, and jeopardized environmental and human health in South Asia. Addressing these challenges requires climate-smart and sustainable nutrient management strategies that can enhance both crop productivity and agroecosystem services.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the trade-offs and synergies in agroecosystem services resulting from organic nutrient management using farmyard manure (FYM) and integrated nutrient management (INM), combining FYM with chemical fertilizers, compared to conventional chemical fertilizer practices across South Asian agri-food systems.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A meta-analysis was conducted using 869 pair-wise observations extracted from 260 field-based studies conducted exclusively in South Asia. Studies were selected through systematic screening using the PRISMA protocol and classified by climate zone, soil type, and duration. The impact of FYM and INM treatments was assessed relative to chemical (NPK) fertilizer controls across five ecosystem services: crop yield, carbon sequestration, soil fertility, greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, and water use. The natural log response ratio was used as the effect size metric.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The application of FYM alone resulted in a 4.71 % average reduction in crop yield compared to chemical fertilizers, but improved carbon sequestration (24.53 %), nutrient availability nitrogen (6.93 %), phosphorus (4.36 %), and potassium (2.49 %), and reduced water use (7.10 %). INM led to a 21.17 % increase in crop yield and significantly improved carbon sequestration and nutrient availability compared to chemical fertilizers. About 75 % of INM-related observations showed a synergistic improvement in yield and non-marketed ecosystem services, reflecting <em>win–win</em> outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While FYM alone may not always match the yield performance of chemical fertilizers, it contributes to long-term soil health and water use efficiency. INM offers a balanced approach that enhances both productivity and environmental sustainability in diverse agro-climatic zones of South Asia.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>These findings highlight the potential of organic and integrated nutrient strategies as climate-smart solutions for enhancing agroecosystem services in South Asian agri-food systems. The study supports informed decision-making by farmers and policymakers to promote integrated nutrient use and reduce over-reliance on chemical inputs, contributing to more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110325"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Yield benefit and ecophysiological processes behind the introgression of HaHB4 in a modern wheat in the Argentine Pampas","authors":"Francisco Ayala ,&nbsp;Facundo Curin ,&nbsp;Martín Diaz-Zorita ,&nbsp;José Murguía ,&nbsp;Enrique Montero Bulacio ,&nbsp;Margarita Portapila ,&nbsp;María Elena Otegui ,&nbsp;Raquel Lía Chan ,&nbsp;Fernanda Gabriela González","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Breeding for improved tolerance to water deficit is critical to mitigate the climate change impact on wheat yield. In 2020, Argentina approved the first wheat transformed with the sunflower <em>HaHB4</em> gene (INDØØ412–7), which increased yield by 16 % compared to the non-transformed Cadenza under drought conditions. This benefit may have been overestimated, as Cadenza is a long cycle for the Pampas region. Additionally, the underlying physiological mechanisms of yield benefit, particularly those related to water use and water use efficiency, remain to be fully elucidated.</div></div><div><h3>Objective or research question</h3><div>The aims of the study are (i) to quantify the yield advantage of <em>HaHB4</em> in a modern, well-adapted cultivar and (ii) to elucidate the physiological processes involved in yield benefit, which is crucial for identifying optimal environments for this technology.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An <em>HaHB4</em>-introgressed line of Algarrobo was compared with the conventional cultivar in a broad network of experiments comprising one greenhouse, with two irrigation levels, and 29 field environments within the Pampas region combining different locations (10), years (5) and treatments (sowing dates, irrigation).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Under water deficit during the reproductive phase, the yield advantage of <em>HaHB4</em> was 15 % in the greenhouse and 13 % in the field. <em>HaHB4</em> improved the relative yield by 0.06–0.08 % per mm of water deficit, also responding positively to moderate heat stress (∑Tmax &gt; 30 °C ∼40–60 °Cd). The enhanced water use and water use efficiency conferred by <em>HaHB4</em>, allowed for maintaining biomass and yield under water deficit.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The hypothesis of an initial overestimation of <em>HaHB4</em> benefits can be rejected because in the modern Algarrobo cultivar it showed a similar benefit as in Cadenza. In areas prone to drought combined with heat stress, the introgression of <em>HaHB4</em> in modern cultivars would enhance yield stability by improving water-limited yield. This may have a great impact on productivity in rainfed cropping systems, like most of the wheat-producing areas around the world.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110319"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable intensification of maize through improved nutrient and plant density management in a water-sensitive lake basin agroecosystem","authors":"Feiyu Ying ,&nbsp;Zhibing Lv ,&nbsp;Yuewen Huo ,&nbsp;Cong Chen ,&nbsp;Zhengxiong Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaokang Hu ,&nbsp;Prakash Lakshmanan ,&nbsp;Hans Lambers ,&nbsp;Fusuo Zhang ,&nbsp;Wen-Feng Cong","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110326","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110326","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Achieving high maize yield while minimizing environmental impacts remains a major challenge for global food security and ecological sustainability, particularly in water-protection areas where nutrient losses pose risks to water quality.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to systematically assess the effects of nutrient management and planting density on maize yield, nutrient accumulation, allocation and remobilization, as well as nutrient runoff and environmental footprints, to identify sustainable agronomic approaches for enhancing maize productivity while reducing environmental impacts in water-protection areas.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted in the Erhai Lake Basin, a water-protection area in Southwest China. Four treatments were established: (1) no fertilizer (CK); (2) farmer’s practice (FP, high NPK inputs with low planting density); and (3) two optimized treatments: T1 with a recommended NPK rate combined with higher planting density, and T2 with the same planting density as T1 but 30 kg N ha⁻¹ less N, while keeping P and K constant.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared with FP, maize yield increased by 16.7–17.2 % under T1 and 6.2–16.0 % under T2, primarily due to increases in harvested ear number and thousand-kernel weight. T1 also enhanced pre- and post-silking N and P accumulation, with total aboveground N and P accumulation increasing by 4.9–21.4 % and 15.6–20.7 %, respectively. Improved remobilization of N and P from senescing leaves to the grain further contributed to yield gains. Nutrient losses were significantly reduced under optimized treatments: total N runoff decreased by 25.4–53.4 % (T1) and 31.0–59.3 % (T2), mainly through reductions in NO₃^-–N, NH₄⁺–N, and dissolved N (DON); total P runoff decreased by 24.3–38.9 % (T1) and 25.5–26.6 % (T2), largely due to lower total dissolved P (TDP). In addition, T1 reduced the N surplus by 52.1–84.8 % and achieved a negative P surplus under high soil P conditions. The N and P footprints declined by 57.3–87.4 % and 57.4–98.3 %, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Optimizing nutrient management in conjunction with increased planting density synergistically improved maize yield, enhanced aboveground N and P accumulation and remobilization, and substantially reduced nutrient runoff, surpluses, and environmental footprints. These results demonstrate a practical “win–win” pathway for simultaneously achieving high productivity and environmental protection.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study provides new insights into reconciling crop yield goals with environmental sustainability in water-sensitive agroecosystems. The findings offer a scalable framework for sustainable intensification of maize production that supports both food security and water resource protection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110326"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145923517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A modeling framework for spatial optimization of cropping structure to promote food supply–demand balance and environmental sustainability","authors":"Xiaoliang Li ,&nbsp;Kening Wu ,&nbsp;Weimin Cai ,&nbsp;Bailin Zhang ,&nbsp;Yanan Liu ,&nbsp;Xiao Li","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110320","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Imbalances in cropping structure and disordered spatial distribution pose potential threats to environmental carrying capacity, food security, economic returns, and land-use efficiency. However, systematic approaches to optimizing both cropping structures and their spatial allocation remain limited. Previous studies have primarily focused on quantitative optimization while neglecting critical constraints, thereby introducing biases and limiting spatial applicability.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study aims to diagnose the problems in current cropping structures and develop an integrated optimization framework that simultaneously accounts for both quantitative and spatial dimensions, thereby promoting food supply–demand balance and environmental sustainability.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We employed a life cycle assessment model to evaluate the water and carbon footprints of rice, wheat, and maize, and applied a food supply–demand balance model to identify cropping structures that meet healthy dietary requirements. A multi-objective optimization model combined with an integer linear programming approach was then used to optimize both the quantity and spatial allocation of cropping structures under dietary demand and planetary boundary constraints.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Between 2018 and 2023, the sown areas of rice, wheat, and maize remained relatively stable, whereas double-cropping areas declined and single-cropping areas expanded. Compared with the diet-oriented cropping structure in 2023, the current structure resulted in 12.18 % higher carbon footprint and 8.78 % higher water footprint, though still 19.28 % and 28.08 % lower than the planetary boundaries of carbon and blue water use, respectively. Under three optimization scenarios, net economic benefits increased by up to 37.23 %, while water and carbon footprints were reduced by 8.87 % and 16.43 %, respectively. The optimized spatial configuration was dominated by single-cropping maize and wheat–maize rotations, with cropland suitability improved by at least 9.52 %. Nevertheless, notable discrepancies remain between the current and optimized patterns, highlighting the urgent need for policy support and adjustment.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Although the current structure has not exceeded planetary boundaries, it exhibits a significant mismatch between supply and demand. Optimized cropping structures can simultaneously enhance economic benefits and ensure environmental sustainability while maintaining dietary balance. Compared with current conditions, the optimized spatial allocation further improves overall cropland suitability.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Implications&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study proposes an integrated pathway for the quantitative and spatial optimization of cropping structures in the context of healthy dietary demand and environmental sustainability, providing a methodological framework and practical reference ","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110320"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145902399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Utilizing unique irrigation techniques and different phosphorus rates as strategies to improve peanut growth, phosphorus use efficiency and water productivity","authors":"Ayman M.S. Elshamly ,&nbsp;Modhi O. Alotaibi ,&nbsp;Mashael M. Alotibi ,&nbsp;Maged M. Alharbi ,&nbsp;Esawy Mahmoud ,&nbsp;Samar Swify ,&nbsp;Kassem A.S. Mohammed ,&nbsp;Saudi A. Rekaby ,&nbsp;Adel M. Ghoneim ,&nbsp;Wael A. Mahmoud ,&nbsp;Rashid Iqbal ,&nbsp;Maximilian Lackner","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Currently, there is a gap in understanding how fixed partial root-zone irrigation (FDI) and phosphorus (P) levels interact to affect stressed peanut yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), with a particular need for data on their dynamic responses and potential to enhance FDI in arid conditions. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was designed using a split-split plot system to evaluate the impact of partial root-zone irrigation techniques, P application rates, and irrigation levels on peanuts. The experiment's goal was to determine how these factors influence the physio-chemical properties, root development, PUE, overall yield, and water productivity (WP).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The experimental setup involved two partial root-zone irrigation techniques in the main plots, FDI and alternate partial root-zone driplines (ADI), each with dripline distances of 15 cm and 30 cm from the plant rows, creating four treatments: FDI-15, FDI-30, ADI-15, and ADI-30. Two irrigation levels were applied to the sub-plots, consisting of 100 % and 75 % of the required peanut irrigation. Within these sub-plots, three different P application rates were distributed in the sub-sub plots: 0 kg P ha⁻¹, 45 kg P ha⁻¹, and 72 kg P ha⁻¹.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Variations in wetted area, peanut responses, PUE, yield, and WP were observed depending on the adopted irrigation technique, irrigation level, and P rate. Under FDI-30, the combination of 75 % irrigation level and 72 Kg P ha⁻¹ led to positive outcomes in peanut crops, including higher nutrient content, improved root traits, increased relative water content, greater carbohydrate levels, and enhanced peanut yield and WP. Irrigating plants with 75 % of peanut irrigation amounts and applying 45 Kg P ha⁻¹ using ADI-30 technique resulted in the highest recorded wetted area percentage, relative water content, total chlorophyll, root weight density, K, PUE, overall yield, and WP.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Based on the findings, applying 75 % irrigation level and adopting ADI-30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ was recommended to boost peanut yield, PUE, and WP; while achieving efficient use of irrigation and P fertilization amounts. This approach leads to increased profitability, a more resilient farming system, and serves as a model for sustainable water and input management in similar crops and arid regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"339 ","pages":"Article 110322"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency through OsRAV1 expression and crop management","authors":"Yingbo Gao ,&nbsp;Haiyan Chao ,&nbsp;Xinyi Zhao ,&nbsp;Xin Liu ,&nbsp;Chang Liu ,&nbsp;Guanda Hu ,&nbsp;Xueqin Chen ,&nbsp;Guowei Wang ,&nbsp;Dunliang Wang ,&nbsp;Rui Li ,&nbsp;Juan Zhou ,&nbsp;Xiaoxiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Youping Wang ,&nbsp;Jianye Huang ,&nbsp;Zefeng Yang ,&nbsp;Yong Zhou ,&nbsp;Youli Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110318","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110318","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context or problem</h3><div>Increasing rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) through improved plant architecture and canopy management is a key strategy for sustainable agriculture.</div></div><div><h3>Objective or research question</h3><div>This study investigated the role of AP2/ERF transcription factor <em>OsRAV1</em> in regulating rice growth and yield under varying nitrogen (N) rates and planting densities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A three-year field experiment compared lines expressing different levels of <em>OsRAV1</em> with wild-type controls. <em>OsRAV1</em> expression was significantly influenced by N and planting density.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Increased expression of <em>OsRAV1</em> resulted in higher grain yield, primarily through increased spikelet number per panicle. Optimized planting density, combined with a moderate N rate, further enhanced yield, largely due to a reduction in panicle number per unit area at elevated <em>OsRAV1</em> expression. Furthermore, increased <em>OsRAV1</em> levels promoted leaf and stem elongation, increased internode diameter, and improved lodging resistance. <em>OsRAV1</em> also stimulated starch and sucrose metabolism, enhanced nitrogen uptake, increased dry matter accumulation (DMA), and delayed leaf senescence. Conversely, <em>OsRAV1</em> knockout line exhibited reduced grain yield, decreased NUE, and accelerated leaf senescence.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>As a crucial regulator of rice architecture and yield, <em>OsRAV1</em> increases spikelet number per panicle, stimulates starch and sucrose metabolism, and delays leaf senescence, thereby enhancing DMA, enhances yield, and improves NUE.</div></div><div><h3>Implications or significance</h3><div>Modulating <em>OsRAV1</em> expression in rice presents a promising strategy to optimize plant architecture, increase yield, and improve NUE - key objectives for breeding programs aimed at sustainable rice production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110318"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145881386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global meta-analysis and machine learning show that long-term green manure planting in areas with insufficient fertility produces higher grain yields by enhancing soil health","authors":"Peng Wu ,&nbsp;Qi Wu ,&nbsp;Jinyu Yu ,&nbsp;Zihui Zhang ,&nbsp;Hua Huang ,&nbsp;Enke Liu ,&nbsp;Kemoh Bangura ,&nbsp;Xingli Huo ,&nbsp;Haotian Wu ,&nbsp;Zhikuan Jia ,&nbsp;Peng Zhang ,&nbsp;Guangxin Zhang ,&nbsp;Jianfu Xue ,&nbsp;Chuangyun Wang ,&nbsp;Zhiqiang Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Green manure (GM) can potentially increase crop yields by enhancing the soil properties to solve the contradiction between soil degradation and food security. However, the effects of GM on the soil properties and crop yields in variable environments, and the relationships between them remain unclear, and the key factors need to be identified. Moreover, global prediction are lacking of the effects of GM on crop yields.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives and methods</h3><div>Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis using 5125 pairs of data observations to study the overall effects of GM and environmental variability on the soil properties and subsequent crop yields, and to establish their relationships by introducing the soil quality index (SQI). In addition, we used a machine learning model to predict the global changes in SQI and the yields of maize, wheat, and rice under GM.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>GM significantly increased the soil C, N, P, and K contents, and enzyme activities by 5.34–40.02 %, 8.81–32.39 %, 4.54–10.02 %, 1.18–8.74 %, and 9.49–19.76 %, respectively, increasing SQI by 16.96 %. The fundamental physical and chemical features of soil, duration of GM application, and climatic conditions significantly affected the improvements in the soil properties under GM. The initial total nitrogen (TN) content of the soil and duration of GM application were the two main factors associated with the effect of GM on SQI. When the initial soil TN content was lower than 0.75 g kg^–1 and the GM application duration exceeded 15 years, SQI increased by 26.60 % and 19.94 %, respectively. GM significantly increased SQI by enhancing the soil properties to eventually increase the crop yield by 3.48 %. GM duration was the most important factor associated with the crop yield, and GM significantly increased the crop yield by 18.72 % when the duration exceeded 15 years. However, when the application duration is less than 5 years, the increase is only 2.10 %. The global machine learning model predicted that GM can potentially increase the SQI and crop yield by 23.98 % and 6.35 %, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Therefore, we conclude that applying GM as a green fertilization strategy can increase crop yields by enhancing SQI, and its effects on increasing yields are greater in areas with insufficient soil fertility and long-term planting.</div></div><div><h3>Implication</h3><div>This study highlights the importance of GM for farmland production. SQI was used to establish the relationship between soil quality and crop productivity, and we predicted the potential of GM for improving the global SQI and crop yields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110323"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145881387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiological bases of wheat grain weight response to heat waves: Post-anthesis sensitivity and responses to source-sink manipulations in contrasting cultivars","authors":"Jinwook Kim ,&nbsp;Breno Bicego ,&nbsp;Gustavo A. Slafer ,&nbsp;Roxana Savin","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110310","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The companion paper reported that two contemporary cultivars differed constitutively in their average grain weight (AGW) and in their sensitivity to heat waves (HW). It is relevant to elucidate whether the effects of HW are direct on the capacity of the grains to grow or indirect through penalizing post-anthesis (AN) growth and consequently restricting the availability of assimilates for the growing grains. Testing HW with changes in source-strength could help further understanding the causes of the sensitivity of AGW to a HW. This may help to identify strategies in crop management and traits to target in breeding.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objectives&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;To quantify the effects and analyse the causes of post-AN HW on AGW on two contrasting cultivars, considering a double treatment at both stages (pre- + post-AN HW) and whether an increase in source strength through removing alternate rows in the plots by thinning modify the yield penalties. Also, source strength per grain during the effective period of grain filling was either decreased (through a defoliation) or increased (through de-graining) in combination with each of the other treatments.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Experiments were carried out in two locations, Lleida and Bell-lloc (NE, Spain). Main treatments consisted in the factorial combination of two contrasting genotypes (Pistolo of high AGW and Sublim of high GN), and three HW that were imposed in the field using installing tents with transparent polyethylene films either at booting (pre-AN HW) or 15 days after anthesis (post-AN HW). An additional HW (combination of pre- and post-AN HW) was imposed in one location while thinning treatment at the onset of stem elongation in the other.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Across both locations, AGW was consistently higher in Pistolo compared to Sublim. Moreover, the entire distribution of individual grain sizes was higher in Pistolo, with both the lightest (bottom decile) and heaviest (top decile) grains significantly heavier in Pistolo. The main reason for the higher AGW of Pistolo was its higher rate of grain growth, as the duration was similar between both genotypes and also higher potential weight. Post-AN HW, reduced AGW, being Pistolo more sensitive than Sublim. The double HW treatment revealed that exposure to a post-AN HW was markedly less detrimental when preceded by a pre-AN HW. This suggests a non-additive effect on AGW, with prior HW exposure inducing a priming response that mitigated the impact of subsequent stress through antagonistic interactions between the two events. Varying source-sink ratios under heated conditions did not change the weight of the grains noticeably suggesting that direct effects of post-AN HW on the capacity of the grains to grow dominated those mediated by assimilate availability during grain filling.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The GN–AGW trade-off was not due to limited resources or more small grain","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"338 ","pages":"Article 110310"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145881407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}