Pub Date : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110255
Peng Wu , Chuankang Yang , Linshuai Li , Zeyu Liu , Jinyu Yu , Hua Huang , Tie Cai , Zhikuan Jia , Zhiqiang Gao , Peng Zhang
Contents
Straw and organic fertilizers are abundant organic resources in China. However, their impacts on crop productivity and environmental pollution are unclear, leading to underutilization.
Methods and objectives
In 2020, a long-term experiment was conducted on the Loess Plateau to study the effects of organic resources on wheat (Longjian 301) productivity and environmental benefits to promote sustainable agricultural development. Four treatments were tested: (1) CK: unfertilized with complete straw removal; (2) FM: conventional inorganic fertilization with straw removal; (3) SI: straw incorporation combined with inorganic fertilization; and (4) SIOM: straw incorporation with 10 % organic substitution of inorganic fertilizer.
Results
Organic resources regulated wheat productivity and environmental benefits by changing the soil properties, and SIOM was most effective. Straw decreased N2O emissions but increased NH3 emissions, and organic fertilizer decreased N2O and NH3 emissions. Compared with FM, SIOM increased the nitrogen use efficiency and wheat yield by 42.63 % and 28.31 %, respectively, reduced NH3 and N2O emissions by 24.18 % and 41.75 %, and decreased the partial carbon footprint (0.21 kg CO2-eq ha–1 year–1) and nitrogen footprint (17.91 g N-eq kg–1 grain) by 43.99 % and 26.40 % (all P < 0.05). SIOM obtained the highest net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB, 6249.49 CNY ha–1), which was 37.89 % and 9.27 % higher compared with FM and SI (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Long-term organic resource incorporation enhanced the wheat productivity and mitigated environmental pollution, ultimately increasing NEEB, which was associated with the improvement of soil properties.
Implications
SIOM simultaneous reduced NH3 and N2O without yield penalty, thereby obtained concurrent agronomic and environmental benefits in field crop production.
{"title":"Long-term incorporation of straw and organic fertilizer can achieve agricultural sustainability by improving wheat productivity and reducing environmental pollution","authors":"Peng Wu , Chuankang Yang , Linshuai Li , Zeyu Liu , Jinyu Yu , Hua Huang , Tie Cai , Zhikuan Jia , Zhiqiang Gao , Peng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Contents</h3><div>Straw and organic fertilizers are abundant organic resources in China. However, their impacts on crop productivity and environmental pollution are unclear, leading to underutilization.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and objectives</h3><div>In 2020, a long-term experiment was conducted on the Loess Plateau to study the effects of organic resources on wheat (Longjian 301) productivity and environmental benefits to promote sustainable agricultural development. Four treatments were tested: (1) CK: unfertilized with complete straw removal; (2) FM: conventional inorganic fertilization with straw removal; (3) SI: straw incorporation combined with inorganic fertilization; and (4) SIOM: straw incorporation with 10 % organic substitution of inorganic fertilizer.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Organic resources regulated wheat productivity and environmental benefits by changing the soil properties, and SIOM was most effective. Straw decreased N<sub>2</sub>O emissions but increased NH<sub>3</sub> emissions, and organic fertilizer decreased N<sub>2</sub>O and NH<sub>3</sub> emissions. Compared with FM, SIOM increased the nitrogen use efficiency and wheat yield by 42.63 % and 28.31 %, respectively, reduced NH<sub>3</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions by 24.18 % and 41.75 %, and decreased the partial carbon footprint (0.21 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq ha<sup>–1</sup> year<sup>–1</sup>) and nitrogen footprint (17.91 g N-eq kg<sup>–1</sup> grain) by 43.99 % and 26.40 % (all P < 0.05). SIOM obtained the highest net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB, 6249.49 CNY ha<sup>–1</sup>), which was 37.89 % and 9.27 % higher compared with FM and SI (P < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Long-term organic resource incorporation enhanced the wheat productivity and mitigated environmental pollution, ultimately increasing NEEB, which was associated with the improvement of soil properties.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>SIOM simultaneous reduced NH<sub>3</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O without yield penalty, thereby obtained concurrent agronomic and environmental benefits in field crop production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110255"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145598568","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110254
Chao Ma , Jun Wang , Zheng Che , Jiusheng Li
Soil salinity affects the yield and quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under drip irrigation in arid regions. Coupled effects of initial soil salinity and heterogeneous irrigation water quality exacerbate salinity changes, thereby heightening the challenges to robust nitrogen (N) management strategies and to stable cotton yield. To determine the threshold soil salinity (Sth) for cotton and the appropriate nitrogen application rate under different combinations of water quality and initial soil salinity, a field experiment was conducted in Xinjiang, China during the 2019 and 2020 cotton growing seasons under drip irrigation. The experiment evaluated the combined effects of initial soil salinity, water quality, and nitrogen application rate on soil salinity changes, plant nitrogen uptake and leaf area index (LAI), as well as cotton yield and quality. Two irrigation water qualities (groundwater (G) and brackish water (B)), three initial soil salinities (slight-saline (S1), moderate saline (S2) and strongly saline (S3)) and three N application rates (255 kg ha−1 (F1), 315 kg ha−1 (F2) and 375 kg ha−1 (F3)) were designated in the experiment. The results revealed that G irrigation reduced the soil salt content of S2 and S3 by 26.2 % and 30.2 %, respectively. The soil salt content increased by 1.1–2.9 g kg−1 under brackish water irrigation, whereas a high nitrogen application rate (F3) decreased the soil salt content. Based on K-value clustering analysis and the linear relationships between growth, yield and quality and the soil salt content, the Sth of cotton was 4.0 g kg−1. Under the aforementioned threshold soil salinity, to further maintain high nitrogen use efficiency, the recommended N application rate of 255 kg ha−1 under groundwater irrigation when initial soil salinity is ≤ 4.8 g kg−1, and 315 kg ha−1 under brackish water irrigation when initial soil salinity is ≤ 2.3 g kg−1. These N application strategies enhanced cotton production while avoiding fertilizer waste and environmental issues.
干旱区滴灌条件下土壤盐分对棉花产量和品质的影响。初始土壤盐分和非均匀灌溉水质的耦合效应加剧了盐分的变化，从而增加了对稳健氮管理策略和稳定棉花产量的挑战。为确定不同水质和土壤初始盐度组合下棉花的阈值土壤盐度（Sth）及适宜的施氮量，于2019年和2020年棉花生长季在新疆进行了滴灌大田试验。本试验评价了土壤初始盐分、水质和施氮量对土壤盐分变化、植物氮素吸收和叶面积指数（LAI）以及棉花产量和品质的综合影响。试验设定了2种灌溉水质(地下水（G)和微咸水(B)）， 3种初始土壤盐碱度（轻度盐碱度（S1）、中度盐碱度（S2）和重度盐碱度（S3））和3种施氮量（255 kg ha−1 （F1）、315 kg ha−1 （F2）和375 kg ha−1 (F3)）。结果表明，G灌溉使土壤S2和S3的含盐量分别降低26.2% %和30.2% %。微咸水灌溉土壤含盐量增加1.1 ~ 2.9 g kg−1，而高施氮量（F3）降低了土壤含盐量。基于k值聚类分析和生长、产量、品质与土壤含盐量的线性关系，棉花的Sth值为4.0 g kg−1。上述阈值下土壤盐度、进一步维持高氮利用效率,推荐施氮255 公斤 公顷−1下地下水灌溉时初始土壤盐渍度≤4.8 g 公斤−1,和315年 公斤 公顷−1下微咸水灌溉时初始土壤盐渍度≤2.3 g 公斤−1。这些施氮策略提高了棉花产量，同时避免了肥料浪费和环境问题。
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Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110262
Zhaoyang Li , Yukang Wang , Nan Shi , Yixuan Yuan , Lianjun Wei , Weixing Shan , Medelbek Meruyert , Ansabayeva Assiya , Zhikuan Jia , Kadambot H.M. Siddique , Ruixia Ding , Peng Wu , Shimeng Fan , Jiangang Liu , Yuling Meng , Peng Zhang
<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Nitrogen management is pivotal for attaining sustainable agricultural development in the future. Among the array of mitigation strategies, deep fertilization emerges as a promising approach to address the multifaceted challenges associated with agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social demands.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study seeks to comprehensively assess the effects of deep nitrogen fertilization on potato productivity, environmental footprint, ecological and social costs and benefits. The findings are Intended to provide furnish an actionable guidance for advancing sustainable potato production in Northwest China.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field experiments were conducted over three consecutive years (2021–2023) at four representative sites spanning two typical climatic zones in Northwest China: the arid region (Ganzhou and Yongchang—Site 1 and Site 2) and the semi-arid region (Anding and Jingning—Site 3 and Site 4). All trials were integrated into local mainstream potato cultivation practices, with drip irrigation applied at Sites 1, 2, and 3, whereas Site 4 was cultivated under rain-fed cultivations. Four nitrogen fertilization depths were investigated:</div><div>D5 (5 cm), D15 (15 cm), D25 (25 cm), and D35 (35 cm), to assess the effects of nitrogen placement depth on multiple performance indicators.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In arid region, the lowest nitrogen footprint (N<sub>F</sub>) and carbon footprint (C<sub>F</sub>), as well as the highest yield, N-derived potato tuber yield (Y<sub>N</sub>), N-Partial factor productivity (PFP<sub>N</sub>), private profitability (B<sub>P</sub>), ecological benefits (B<sub>E</sub>) and social benefits (B<sub>S</sub>) were observed when the fertilization depth was 15 cm, while the best performance was observed at 25 cm in semi-arid region. In addition, when the fertilization depth is 35 cm, the ecological cost (E<sub>cost</sub>) and social cost (S<sub>cost</sub>) in arid and semi-arid regions are the lowest. Compared with the conventional fertilization depth (D5) in the northwest region, the N<sub>F</sub>, C<sub>F</sub>, E<sub>cost</sub> and S<sub>cost</sub> were significantly reduced by 14.8–34.2 %, 7.1–20.6 %, 15.0–19.7 % and 20.1–25.1 % when the optimal treatment depth was adjusted, and the yield, Y<sub>N</sub>, PFP<sub>N</sub>, B<sub>P</sub>, B<sub>E</sub> and B<sub>S</sub> were significantly increased by 4.7–22.2 %, 10.2–42.8 %, 4.7–22.2 %, 10.4–86.7 %, 10.9–88.4 % and 11.8–92.5 %. The regression analysis revealed a clear spatial pattern: the optimal fertilization depth for maximizing productivity, minimizing environmental footprint, optimizing cost and benefit was generally shallower in arid areas compared to the semi-arid area, and shallower in the drip irrigation area than in the rain-fed area (with the exception of cost).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Based on the comprehe
氮管理是实现未来农业可持续发展的关键。在一系列缓解战略中，深度施肥是解决与农业生产力、环境可持续性、经济效率和社会需求有关的多方面挑战的一种有希望的方法。目的综合评价深施氮肥对马铃薯产量、环境足迹、生态和社会成本效益的影响。研究结果旨在为促进西北地区马铃薯可持续生产提供可操作的指导。方法连续3年（2021-2023年）在中国西北2个典型气候带：干旱区（赣州和永昌）和半干旱区（安定和静宁）的4个代表性站点进行田间试验。所有试验均与当地主流马铃薯栽培方法相结合，在试验点1、2和3采用滴灌，而在试验点4采用雨养栽培。研究了4个施氮深度：D5（5 cm）、D15（15 cm）、D25（25 cm）和D35(35 cm)，以评估施氮深度对多个性能指标的影响。结果在干旱区，施肥深度为15 cm时，氮足迹（NF）和碳足迹（CF）最低，产量、氮衍生马铃薯块茎产量（YN）、氮偏要素生产率（PFPN）、私人盈利能力（BP）、生态效益（BE）和社会效益（BS）最高，半干旱区施肥深度为25 cm时表现最佳。此外，当施肥深度为35 cm时，干旱半干旱区的生态成本（Ecost）和社会成本（Scost）最低。相比与传统施肥深度(D5)在西北地区,NF, CF, Ecost和Scost明显减少了14.8 - -34.2 %,7.1 - -20.6 %,15.0 - -19.7 % -25.1和20.1 %的最佳治疗深度调整的时候,和收益率,YN, PFPN,英国石油(BP), BS明显增加了4.7 - -22.2 %, % 10.2 - -42.8,4.7 - -22.2 %, % 10.4 - -86.7,10.9 - -88.4 % -92.5和11.8 %。回归分析结果表明：旱区的最佳施肥深度总体上较半干旱区浅，而滴灌区则较雨水区浅（除成本外）。结论在综合评价生产力、环境影响和经济社会效益的基础上，建议将施肥深度调整为：Site 1 18.0 cm, Site 2 13.3 cm, Site 3 20.2 cm, Site 4 22.9 cm。这些调整预计将提高马铃薯产量和整体效益。
{"title":"Adjusting fertilization depth for sustainable potato production in arid and semi-arid regions","authors":"Zhaoyang Li , Yukang Wang , Nan Shi , Yixuan Yuan , Lianjun Wei , Weixing Shan , Medelbek Meruyert , Ansabayeva Assiya , Zhikuan Jia , Kadambot H.M. Siddique , Ruixia Ding , Peng Wu , Shimeng Fan , Jiangang Liu , Yuling Meng , Peng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110262","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110262","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Nitrogen management is pivotal for attaining sustainable agricultural development in the future. Among the array of mitigation strategies, deep fertilization emerges as a promising approach to address the multifaceted challenges associated with agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social demands.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study seeks to comprehensively assess the effects of deep nitrogen fertilization on potato productivity, environmental footprint, ecological and social costs and benefits. The findings are Intended to provide furnish an actionable guidance for advancing sustainable potato production in Northwest China.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field experiments were conducted over three consecutive years (2021–2023) at four representative sites spanning two typical climatic zones in Northwest China: the arid region (Ganzhou and Yongchang—Site 1 and Site 2) and the semi-arid region (Anding and Jingning—Site 3 and Site 4). All trials were integrated into local mainstream potato cultivation practices, with drip irrigation applied at Sites 1, 2, and 3, whereas Site 4 was cultivated under rain-fed cultivations. Four nitrogen fertilization depths were investigated:</div><div>D5 (5 cm), D15 (15 cm), D25 (25 cm), and D35 (35 cm), to assess the effects of nitrogen placement depth on multiple performance indicators.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In arid region, the lowest nitrogen footprint (N<sub>F</sub>) and carbon footprint (C<sub>F</sub>), as well as the highest yield, N-derived potato tuber yield (Y<sub>N</sub>), N-Partial factor productivity (PFP<sub>N</sub>), private profitability (B<sub>P</sub>), ecological benefits (B<sub>E</sub>) and social benefits (B<sub>S</sub>) were observed when the fertilization depth was 15 cm, while the best performance was observed at 25 cm in semi-arid region. In addition, when the fertilization depth is 35 cm, the ecological cost (E<sub>cost</sub>) and social cost (S<sub>cost</sub>) in arid and semi-arid regions are the lowest. Compared with the conventional fertilization depth (D5) in the northwest region, the N<sub>F</sub>, C<sub>F</sub>, E<sub>cost</sub> and S<sub>cost</sub> were significantly reduced by 14.8–34.2 %, 7.1–20.6 %, 15.0–19.7 % and 20.1–25.1 % when the optimal treatment depth was adjusted, and the yield, Y<sub>N</sub>, PFP<sub>N</sub>, B<sub>P</sub>, B<sub>E</sub> and B<sub>S</sub> were significantly increased by 4.7–22.2 %, 10.2–42.8 %, 4.7–22.2 %, 10.4–86.7 %, 10.9–88.4 % and 11.8–92.5 %. The regression analysis revealed a clear spatial pattern: the optimal fertilization depth for maximizing productivity, minimizing environmental footprint, optimizing cost and benefit was generally shallower in arid areas compared to the semi-arid area, and shallower in the drip irrigation area than in the rain-fed area (with the exception of cost).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Based on the comprehe","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110262"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145598576","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110240
Priya Lal Chandra Paul , Richard W. Bell , Edward G. Barrett-Lennard , Mohammed Mainuddin , Donald S. Gaydon , Mark Glover , Marta Monjardino , Debjit Roy , Md. Belal Hossain , Md. Nazrul Islam , Sukamal Sarkar
<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Dry season irrigated rice has the potential to increase food production and cropping intensity in the salt-affected coastal areas of the Ganges Delta, but its success is often limited by seasonal salinity, scarcity of freshwater and elevated temperatures. We hypothesized that earlier transplanting would overcome these constraints and maximize productivity.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this study was to evaluate how transplanting times interact with salinity and temperature and affect rice yield and water productivity in a saline ecosystem.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field experiments were conducted at Dacope, in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, during 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons with a single salt-tolerant rice cultivar and six transplanting dates (15 and 30 December, 15 and 30 January, 14 and 28 February) in a randomized complete block design. Soil salinity (EC<sub>1:5</sub>), solute potential, crop growth parameters and water productivity were measured along with yield and its components at harvest.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seasonal rainfall, temperature, and salinity strongly influenced crop performance. Transplanting on 15 and 30 December was associated with higher leaf area, biomass, tillers m<sup>−2</sup>, grain panicle<sup>−1</sup>, thousand grain weight and grain yield (7.0–7.2 t ha<sup>−1</sup> in 2023–24 and 7.4–7.6 t ha<sup>−1</sup> in 2024–25). Irrigation water salinity was higher in 2023–24 (2.5–6.2 dS m<sup>−1</sup>) than in 2024–25 (1.9–4.0 dS m<sup>−1</sup>), largely due to lower rainfall in the first season. Delayed transplanting after 30 December decreased yield by 11–64 % in 2023–24 and 11–54 % in 2024–25. Higher yields on 15 and 30 December were associated with lower soil salinity, higher soil solute potential, and lower daily maximum temperature during the maximum vegetative and reproductive stages. In contrast, late planting after 30 December exposed crops to more days exceeding 33 <sup>0</sup>C during reproductive stage, along with higher salinity and lower solute potential during reproductive and ripening stages, which led to high levels of panicle sterility. Transplanting on 30 December also resulted in the highest irrigation water productivity (0.86–0.91 kg m<sup>−3</sup>) and total water (irrigation and rainfall) productivity (0.84–0.86 kg m<sup>−3</sup>), while crop water productivity based on evapotranspiration was the highest with 15 December transplanting (2.51–2.62 kg m<sup>−3</sup>).</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Transplanting Boro rice by 30 December enables crops to escape high soil salinity and elevated temperature during reproductive growth, thereby improving both grain yield and water productivity in the salt-affected coastal areas of the Ganges Delta. Adopting this practice can help farmers intensify their cropping systems by integrating high yielding salt-tolerant dry season irrigated rice with monsoon-season rice produ
旱季灌溉水稻有可能增加恒河三角洲受盐影响的沿海地区的粮食产量和种植强度，但其成功往往受到季节性盐度、淡水稀缺和气温升高的限制。我们假设早期移植可以克服这些限制并使生产力最大化。目的研究盐碱化生态系统中水稻移栽时间与盐度和温度的相互作用，以及移栽时间对水稻产量和水分生产力的影响。方法采用完全随机区组设计，于2023-24和2024-25两季在孟加拉国库尔纳地区的Dacope进行田间试验，选用一个耐盐水稻品种和6个移栽日期（12月15日和30日，1月15日和30日，2月14日和28日）。收获时测定土壤盐分（EC1:5）、溶质势、作物生长参数和水分生产力以及产量及其构成因素。结果季节性降雨、温度和盐度对作物生产性能影响较大。12月15日和30日移栽的叶面积、生物量、分蘖m−2、穗数−1、千粒重和籽粒产量较高（2023-24年为7.0-7.2 t ha−1,2024-25年为7.4-7.6 t ha−1）。灌溉水盐度在2023-24年（2.5 ~ 6.2 dS m−1）高于2024-25年（1.9 ~ 4.0 dS m−1），主要原因是第一季降水较少。12月30日后延迟移栽，2023-24年产量下降11-64 %，2024-25年产量下降11-54 %。12月15日和30日的高产量与较低的土壤盐度、较高的土壤溶质势和较低的日最高温度有关。相比之下，12月30日以后的晚播，使作物在繁殖期暴露在超过33℃的天数较多，同时在繁殖期和成熟期暴露在较高的盐度和较低的溶质势下，导致穗部不育程度较高。12月30日移栽的灌溉水生产力最高（0.86 ~ 0.91 kg m−3），总水分（灌溉和降雨）生产力最高（0.84 ~ 0.86 kg m−3），而基于蒸散的作物水分生产力在12月15日移栽时最高（2.51 ~ 2.62 kg m−3）。在12月30日之前插秧水稻可以使作物在生殖生长过程中避开高土壤盐度和高温，从而提高恒河三角洲受盐影响沿海地区的粮食产量和水分生产力。采用这种做法可以帮助农民通过将高产耐盐旱季灌溉水稻与季风季水稻生产结合起来，加强种植制度。
{"title":"Earlier transplanting increases Boro rice yield and water productivity by minimizing exposure to high temperature and salinity in the coastal Ganges Delta","authors":"Priya Lal Chandra Paul , Richard W. Bell , Edward G. Barrett-Lennard , Mohammed Mainuddin , Donald S. Gaydon , Mark Glover , Marta Monjardino , Debjit Roy , Md. Belal Hossain , Md. Nazrul Islam , Sukamal Sarkar","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Dry season irrigated rice has the potential to increase food production and cropping intensity in the salt-affected coastal areas of the Ganges Delta, but its success is often limited by seasonal salinity, scarcity of freshwater and elevated temperatures. We hypothesized that earlier transplanting would overcome these constraints and maximize productivity.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this study was to evaluate how transplanting times interact with salinity and temperature and affect rice yield and water productivity in a saline ecosystem.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Field experiments were conducted at Dacope, in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, during 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons with a single salt-tolerant rice cultivar and six transplanting dates (15 and 30 December, 15 and 30 January, 14 and 28 February) in a randomized complete block design. Soil salinity (EC<sub>1:5</sub>), solute potential, crop growth parameters and water productivity were measured along with yield and its components at harvest.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seasonal rainfall, temperature, and salinity strongly influenced crop performance. Transplanting on 15 and 30 December was associated with higher leaf area, biomass, tillers m<sup>−2</sup>, grain panicle<sup>−1</sup>, thousand grain weight and grain yield (7.0–7.2 t ha<sup>−1</sup> in 2023–24 and 7.4–7.6 t ha<sup>−1</sup> in 2024–25). Irrigation water salinity was higher in 2023–24 (2.5–6.2 dS m<sup>−1</sup>) than in 2024–25 (1.9–4.0 dS m<sup>−1</sup>), largely due to lower rainfall in the first season. Delayed transplanting after 30 December decreased yield by 11–64 % in 2023–24 and 11–54 % in 2024–25. Higher yields on 15 and 30 December were associated with lower soil salinity, higher soil solute potential, and lower daily maximum temperature during the maximum vegetative and reproductive stages. In contrast, late planting after 30 December exposed crops to more days exceeding 33 <sup>0</sup>C during reproductive stage, along with higher salinity and lower solute potential during reproductive and ripening stages, which led to high levels of panicle sterility. Transplanting on 30 December also resulted in the highest irrigation water productivity (0.86–0.91 kg m<sup>−3</sup>) and total water (irrigation and rainfall) productivity (0.84–0.86 kg m<sup>−3</sup>), while crop water productivity based on evapotranspiration was the highest with 15 December transplanting (2.51–2.62 kg m<sup>−3</sup>).</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>Transplanting Boro rice by 30 December enables crops to escape high soil salinity and elevated temperature during reproductive growth, thereby improving both grain yield and water productivity in the salt-affected coastal areas of the Ganges Delta. Adopting this practice can help farmers intensify their cropping systems by integrating high yielding salt-tolerant dry season irrigated rice with monsoon-season rice produ","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110240"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145593035","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110243
Kennedy Choo-Foo , Kui Liu , J. Diane Knight
Legume and non-legume intercrops are a promising tool to increase productivity and reduce reliance on nitrogen (N) fertilizers through N2 fixation. However, limited research quantifying N contributions in pea-based intercrops warrants further exploration. Across Saskatchewan, pea-oat (PO) and pea-canola (PC) intercrops, along with their monocrops, were grown under three N fertilizer rates (0, ¼, and ½ of N applied to non-legume monocrops), while canola and oat monocrops received their full recommendation rates. Using the 15N dilution method, the percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) was higher in intercropped peas than in pea monocrops. On a per pea plant basis, PC increased N fixation by 22 % over pea monocrop, but PO reduced N fixation by 15 %. Soil was the major source of N for intercrops (61–73 %), followed by atmosphere (20–38 %), and then fertilizer (1–7 %). Comparing intercrops, PO recovered 22 % more N fertilizer than PC; however, neither intercrop recovered more fertilizer N than non-legume monocrops. Increasing N fertilizer supply to intercrops did not affect N uptake or N fertilizer recovery but reduced %Ndfa by up to 14 % and N fixation by up to 36 %, indicating that no N fertilizer is needed for intercrops. The intercrops had similar biomass N to monocrops, but PC’s greater N fixation led to more efficient N use than PO and monocrops on a per land area basis. The results indicated that pea-based intercrops significantly increased %Ndfa and altered N sources compared to pea monocrop, providing an alternative pathway for sustainable N management.
{"title":"Enhanced biological nitrogen fixation in pea-canola intercrops quantified using 15N isotopic analysis","authors":"Kennedy Choo-Foo , Kui Liu , J. Diane Knight","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Legume and non-legume intercrops are a promising tool to increase productivity and reduce reliance on nitrogen (N) fertilizers through N<sub>2</sub> fixation. However, limited research quantifying N contributions in pea-based intercrops warrants further exploration. Across Saskatchewan, pea-oat (PO) and pea-canola (PC) intercrops, along with their monocrops, were grown under three N fertilizer rates (0, ¼, and ½ of N applied to non-legume monocrops), while canola and oat monocrops received their full recommendation rates. Using the <sup>15</sup>N dilution method, the percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) was higher in intercropped peas than in pea monocrops. On a per pea plant basis, PC increased N fixation by 22 % over pea monocrop, but PO reduced N fixation by 15 %. Soil was the major source of N for intercrops (61–73 %), followed by atmosphere (20–38 %), and then fertilizer (1–7 %). Comparing intercrops, PO recovered 22 % more N fertilizer than PC; however, neither intercrop recovered more fertilizer N than non-legume monocrops. Increasing N fertilizer supply to intercrops did not affect N uptake or N fertilizer recovery but reduced %Ndfa by up to 14 % and N fixation by up to 36 %, indicating that no N fertilizer is needed for intercrops. The intercrops had similar biomass N to monocrops, but PC’s greater N fixation led to more efficient N use than PO and monocrops on a per land area basis. The results indicated that pea-based intercrops significantly increased %Ndfa and altered N sources compared to pea monocrop, providing an alternative pathway for sustainable N management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110243"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145593033","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110256
Funian Zhao , Yulong Ma , Qiang Zhang , Heling Wang , Jun Lei , Xiuzhen Jia , Jianying Jia , Kai Zhang , Xingxing Wei
Context
Precipitation is a random event, especially under the background of global warming, which increases the frequency and intensity of extreme drought and precipitation events. In water-limited regions, water deficiency is a key factor constraining crop growth, development and yield formation. However, the effects of the amount and distribution of precipitation on crop yield and crop–water relationships and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Objectives
This study aimed to examine the impact of the amount of precipitation at different growth stages on winter wheat yield in a typical semi-arid region.
Methods
This long-term (1981–2018) study was performed in Xifeng, Northwest China. Soil water content at planting, growth stages, aboveground biomass and final yield were recorded during each year. Linear regression analyzed how precipitation affects winter wheat yield across growth stages.
Results
High-intensity precipitation during the booting-to-anthesis period was detrimental to winter wheat yield formation. The critical precipitation period for winter wheat was from the erecting to the anthesis stage. Precipitation during this stage explained 72 % of the variance in winter wheat yield when years with precipitation exceeding 50 mm during the booting-to-anthesis stage were excluded. The distribution and amount of precipitation not only affected winter wheat yield but also influenced the relationship between precipitation during specific growth periods and yield and that between available water supply and yield.
Implications
The study highlights that relying solely on water supply as a factor for predicting crop yield and assessing the impact of drought can lead to inaccurate results, and emphasizes the need to account for stage-specific precipitation effects in agricultural water management and climate impact evaluations.
{"title":"How does distribution and amount of precipitation affect dryland winter wheat yield?: Insights from a 38-year long-term field experiment","authors":"Funian Zhao , Yulong Ma , Qiang Zhang , Heling Wang , Jun Lei , Xiuzhen Jia , Jianying Jia , Kai Zhang , Xingxing Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Precipitation is a random event, especially under the background of global warming, which increases the frequency and intensity of extreme drought and precipitation events. In water-limited regions, water deficiency is a key factor constraining crop growth, development and yield formation. However, the effects of the amount and distribution of precipitation on crop yield and crop–water relationships and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to examine the impact of the amount of precipitation at different growth stages on winter wheat yield in a typical semi-arid region.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This long-term (1981–2018) study was performed in Xifeng, Northwest China. Soil water content at planting, growth stages, aboveground biomass and final yield were recorded during each year. Linear regression analyzed how precipitation affects winter wheat yield across growth stages.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>High-intensity precipitation during the booting-to-anthesis period was detrimental to winter wheat yield formation. The critical precipitation period for winter wheat was from the erecting to the anthesis stage. Precipitation during this stage explained 72 % of the variance in winter wheat yield when years with precipitation exceeding 50 mm during the booting-to-anthesis stage were excluded. The distribution and amount of precipitation not only affected winter wheat yield but also influenced the relationship between precipitation during specific growth periods and yield and that between available water supply and yield.</div></div><div><h3>Implications</h3><div>The study highlights that relying solely on water supply as a factor for predicting crop yield and assessing the impact of drought can lead to inaccurate results, and emphasizes the need to account for stage-specific precipitation effects in agricultural water management and climate impact evaluations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110256"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145598575","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110250
Muhammad Fraz Ali , Liijuan Ma , Wanrui Han , Yang Zhou , Shengnan Wang , Xiang Lin , Dong Wang
<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Water-efficient and high-yield agricultural practices are critical for achieving sustainable development, particularly in semi-arid regions like Northwest China where winter wheat production faces severe water scarcity. As irrigation and plant density are two closely linked management factors, understanding their effects on photosynthetic traits and chlorophyll fluorescence is essential for optimizing resource use and ensuring yield stability.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted using three plant density levels (PD<sub>1</sub>: 562.5 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>−1</sup>; PD<sub>2</sub>: 375 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>−1</sup> and PD<sub>3</sub>: 187.5 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>−1</sup>) in combination with four irrigation strategies (I<sub>0</sub>: rainfed; I<sub>1</sub>: pre-winter + jointing; I<sub>2</sub>: jointing only and I<sub>3</sub>: jointing + anthesis stage).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Across both growing seasons the PD3-I2 treatment (low plant density, jointing-only irrigation) yielded the highest net photosynthetic parameters at anthesis. Compared to PD1-I2, the PD3-I2 significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (by 11.75 % and 11.02 %), transpiration rate (by 15.20 % and 8.71 %), stomatal conductance (by 13.22 % and 20.59 %), and intracellular CO₂ concentration (by 2.42 % and 7.17 %). Irrigation at jointing (I2) consistently enhanced the effective yield of ΦPSII by 3.36–3.84 % across all plant density levels. The PD3-I2 combination was particularly effective, significantly increasing photochemical quenching (qP) by 5.87–15.51 % and PSII vitality index (<em>F</em><sub><em>v</em></sub>/<em>F</em><sub><em>o</em></sub>) by 4.14–7.67 % over the PD1-I2 treatment. The grain-yield-optimizing combination varied interannually: maximum grain yield was achieved under PD3-I2 in 2022–23 (5819 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) and PD2-I2 in 2023–24 (6310 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>). Notably, irrigation at the jointing stage increased the yield by upto 18 % in medium and low plant density (PD2, PD3) compared to the other regimes, demonstrating that I2 was most effective when not combined with higher PD. Mantel’s test revealed significant correlations among management practices, key physiological traits and grain yield, though these relationships were modulated by inter-annual climatic variability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrated that a combination of lower plant density (187.5–375 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>-</sup>¹) with supplemental irrigation at the jointing stage optimizes photosynthetic performance and enhances grain yield stability in winter wheat under semi-arid conditions. These findings advocate for a strategic approach: using limited water resources to establish and support an optimal plant population structure, thereby reconciling the trade-off between water conservation and yield enhancement. This integrated management practice is recommended as a climate-resilient str
{"title":"Interactive effects of irrigation and planting density on photosynthetic performance and yield of winter wheat","authors":"Muhammad Fraz Ali , Liijuan Ma , Wanrui Han , Yang Zhou , Shengnan Wang , Xiang Lin , Dong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Water-efficient and high-yield agricultural practices are critical for achieving sustainable development, particularly in semi-arid regions like Northwest China where winter wheat production faces severe water scarcity. As irrigation and plant density are two closely linked management factors, understanding their effects on photosynthetic traits and chlorophyll fluorescence is essential for optimizing resource use and ensuring yield stability.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted using three plant density levels (PD<sub>1</sub>: 562.5 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>−1</sup>; PD<sub>2</sub>: 375 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>−1</sup> and PD<sub>3</sub>: 187.5 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>−1</sup>) in combination with four irrigation strategies (I<sub>0</sub>: rainfed; I<sub>1</sub>: pre-winter + jointing; I<sub>2</sub>: jointing only and I<sub>3</sub>: jointing + anthesis stage).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Across both growing seasons the PD3-I2 treatment (low plant density, jointing-only irrigation) yielded the highest net photosynthetic parameters at anthesis. Compared to PD1-I2, the PD3-I2 significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (by 11.75 % and 11.02 %), transpiration rate (by 15.20 % and 8.71 %), stomatal conductance (by 13.22 % and 20.59 %), and intracellular CO₂ concentration (by 2.42 % and 7.17 %). Irrigation at jointing (I2) consistently enhanced the effective yield of ΦPSII by 3.36–3.84 % across all plant density levels. The PD3-I2 combination was particularly effective, significantly increasing photochemical quenching (qP) by 5.87–15.51 % and PSII vitality index (<em>F</em><sub><em>v</em></sub>/<em>F</em><sub><em>o</em></sub>) by 4.14–7.67 % over the PD1-I2 treatment. The grain-yield-optimizing combination varied interannually: maximum grain yield was achieved under PD3-I2 in 2022–23 (5819 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) and PD2-I2 in 2023–24 (6310 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>). Notably, irrigation at the jointing stage increased the yield by upto 18 % in medium and low plant density (PD2, PD3) compared to the other regimes, demonstrating that I2 was most effective when not combined with higher PD. Mantel’s test revealed significant correlations among management practices, key physiological traits and grain yield, though these relationships were modulated by inter-annual climatic variability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrated that a combination of lower plant density (187.5–375 × 10⁴ plants ha<sup>-</sup>¹) with supplemental irrigation at the jointing stage optimizes photosynthetic performance and enhances grain yield stability in winter wheat under semi-arid conditions. These findings advocate for a strategic approach: using limited water resources to establish and support an optimal plant population structure, thereby reconciling the trade-off between water conservation and yield enhancement. This integrated management practice is recommended as a climate-resilient str","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110250"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145583824","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}
Deep subsoil fertilization with organic amendments and bio-stimulants remains poorly explored, particularly below 50 cm depth. Conventional fertilizer placement typically targets the plow layer, overlooking subsoil fertility constraints that limit root growth and nutrient use efficiency.
Objective
This study examined the agronomic and soil responses to deep (75 cm) placement of organic–bio-stimulant combinations in fodder maize cropping under temperate conditions.
Methods
A two-year field trial (2023–2024) was conducted in northern Belgium using a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments and three replicates. Treatments included humic acid (HA) and liquid digestate (LD), applied alone or in combination with microbial inoculants, Trichoderma spp. (TRC), plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), and mycorrhizal fungi (MF). Maize yield, leaf chlorophyll content, and subsoil (30–60 cm) nutrients were measured to assess treatment effects on crop performance and soil fertility.
Results
Deep application of LD + TRC and HA + MF significantly increased maize fodder yield by up to 18 %, relative to the control and sustained higher chlorophyll levels at late growth stages. Subsoil analyses showed that TRC and MF increased total organic carbon and available potassium, while PGPB improved available phosphorus. Enhanced root activity and subsoil nutrient retention contributed to improved fertilizer-use efficiency and reduced nutrient depletion.
Conclusion
Subsoil placement of organic bio-stimulant combinations enhances maize productivity and subsoil fertility by improving nutrient availability and carbon storage below the plow layer. The findings highlight the potential of deep organic fertilization as a promising strategy for improving resource efficiency and long-term soil health in subsoil-constrained cropping systems.
{"title":"Impacts of carbon-rich amendments and bio-stimulants in subsoil on fodder maize productivity","authors":"Dewen Qiao , Ajit Borundia , Cristina Cruz , Abdul Mounem Mouazen","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Deep subsoil fertilization with organic amendments and bio-stimulants remains poorly explored, particularly below 50 cm depth. Conventional fertilizer placement typically targets the plow layer, overlooking subsoil fertility constraints that limit root growth and nutrient use efficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examined the agronomic and soil responses to deep (75 cm) placement of organic–bio-stimulant combinations in fodder maize cropping under temperate conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field trial (2023–2024) was conducted in northern Belgium using a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments and three replicates. Treatments included humic acid (HA) and liquid digestate (LD), applied alone or in combination with microbial inoculants, <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. (TRC), plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), and mycorrhizal fungi (MF). Maize yield, leaf chlorophyll content, and subsoil (30–60 cm) nutrients were measured to assess treatment effects on crop performance and soil fertility.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Deep application of LD + TRC and HA + MF significantly increased maize fodder yield by up to 18 %, relative to the control and sustained higher chlorophyll levels at late growth stages. Subsoil analyses showed that TRC and MF increased total organic carbon and available potassium, while PGPB improved available phosphorus. Enhanced root activity and subsoil nutrient retention contributed to improved fertilizer-use efficiency and reduced nutrient depletion.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Subsoil placement of organic bio-stimulant combinations enhances maize productivity and subsoil fertility by improving nutrient availability and carbon storage below the plow layer. The findings highlight the potential of deep organic fertilization as a promising strategy for improving resource efficiency and long-term soil health in subsoil-constrained cropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110239"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145567436","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110242
Xuemei Cui , Yandi Liu , Xiquan Wang , Junying Wu , Jinghui Liu , Junzhen Mi , Jie Zhou , Mutez Ali Ahmed , Bingjie Qi , Baoping Zhao
Background and purpose
A comprehensive understanding of the variation in source-sink processes in different oat (Avena sativa) varieties might enhance successful breeding efforts to increase grain production. Distinguishing the sequential parts of oat panicles in relation to endogenous hormones remains a research gap that needs to be addressed to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms of yield formation.
Methods
A two-year field experiment was conducted in Northwestern China with nine oat varieties to explore the interaction between yield traits and endogenous hormones in the top, middle, and bottom parts of the panicles.
Results
Tested varieties were grouped as high- and low-yielding, having grain yields ranging from 2.4 to 2.9 Mg ha−1 and 1.9–2.3 Mg ha−1, respectively. Grain number rather than 1000-grain weight primarily regulated grain yield. Furthermore, in the high-yielding group, grain yield increased by 15 kg ha⁻¹ for each additional grain per panicle, which was three times the increase observed in the low-yielding group. In the high-yielding group, grain number was mainly regulated in the middle and bottom parts of the panicles, where it was 43 % and 52 % higher than in the low-yielding group, respectively. Notably, abscisic acid (ABA) levels in the middle parts of panicles were positively correlated with grain number, and its concentration in the high-yielding group was 63 % higher than the low-yielding group. However, the grain number of bottom parts of panicles was negatively related to gibberellin (GA3), and its concentration in the high-yielding group was 25 % lower than in the low-yielding group.
Conclusions
Overall, the grain number induced by oat variety was characterized by balanced endogenous ABA in the top and middle parts of panicles and lower GA3 in the bottom parts, highlighting a potential guideline for yield increasing through hormonal regulation.
{"title":"Grain number in top, middle, and bottom parts of oat panicles: Relationships with endogenous ZR, ABA, IAA, and GA3","authors":"Xuemei Cui , Yandi Liu , Xiquan Wang , Junying Wu , Jinghui Liu , Junzhen Mi , Jie Zhou , Mutez Ali Ahmed , Bingjie Qi , Baoping Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110242","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and purpose</h3><div>A comprehensive understanding of the variation in source-sink processes in different oat (<em>Avena sativa</em>) varieties might enhance successful breeding efforts to increase grain production. Distinguishing the sequential parts of oat panicles in relation to endogenous hormones remains a research gap that needs to be addressed to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms of yield formation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-year field experiment was conducted in Northwestern China with nine oat varieties to explore the interaction between yield traits and endogenous hormones in the top, middle, and bottom parts of the panicles.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Tested varieties were grouped as high- and low-yielding, having grain yields ranging from 2.4 to 2.9 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> and 1.9–2.3 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. Grain number rather than 1000-grain weight primarily regulated grain yield. Furthermore, in the high-yielding group, grain yield increased by 15 kg ha⁻¹ for each additional grain per panicle, which was three times the increase observed in the low-yielding group. In the high-yielding group, grain number was mainly regulated in the middle and bottom parts of the panicles, where it was 43 % and 52 % higher than in the low-yielding group, respectively. Notably, abscisic acid (ABA) levels in the middle parts of panicles were positively correlated with grain number, and its concentration in the high-yielding group was 63 % higher than the low-yielding group. However, the grain number of bottom parts of panicles was negatively related to gibberellin (GA<sub>3</sub>), and its concentration in the high-yielding group was 25 % lower than in the low-yielding group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Overall, the grain number induced by oat variety was characterized by balanced endogenous ABA in the top and middle parts of panicles and lower GA<sub>3</sub> in the bottom parts, highlighting a potential guideline for yield increasing through hormonal regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110242"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145555357","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}
Pub Date : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110236
David Kottelenberg , Lammert Bastiaans , Rick van Essen , Gert Kootstra , Jacob C. Douma
Context
Understanding crop–crop and crop–weed interactions is essential for designing overyielding and weed-suppressive intercropping systems. Measurements of canopy cover over time can provide insights into these interactions, but are labour-intensive to collect. Machine learning methods, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs), could automatically analyse cover of individual species from canopy cover photos, yet the quality of the cover assessment that is needed to study species interaction remains unclear.
Objective
This study aimed to quantify competitive dynamics in cereal–faba bean intercrops based on canopy cover and assess CNN performance required for reliable analysis.
Methods
We collected RGB images from cereal–faba bean intercrops varying in cereal species (barley, rye, triticale, wheat), triticale:faba bean mixing ratios (1:1, 1:3, 3:1), and spatial design (row or mixed). Canopy cover was manually annotated for 397 images, identifying cereal, faba bean, and weed classes. Four CNN models of varying complexity were trained, the simplest of which were used off-the-shelf. We compared qualitative patterns and Lotka–Volterra competition parameters between ground-truth and CNN-segmented data.
Results
Ground-truth data revealed that rye was the most competitive cereal, and wheat the least, reflected in Lotka-Volterra intrinsic growth rate parameters. Separating cereals and legumes into rows and reducing the cereal proportion in intercrops decreased cereal competitiveness relative to faba bean, resulting in more even canopy cover and more symmetrical competition parameters between species. All CNN models achieved high accuracy (Intersection over Union (IoU) = 0.900–0.926). While CNN-based segmentations matched ground-truth patterns visually, only our most complex model came close to the ground-truth parameter estimates, whereas the other three produced values too uncertain or biased to support the same conclusions.
Conclusion
We conclude that moderate-complexity CNN models are sufficient to qualitatively interpret cover trends, but for more refined ecological analysis more complex CNNs are needed. Sensitivity analysis could aid in quantifying the performance needed before training such a complex CNN.
了解作物-作物和作物-杂草的相互作用对于设计高产和抑制杂草的间作系统至关重要。随着时间的推移对冠层覆盖的测量可以提供对这些相互作用的深入了解，但收集这些数据需要大量的劳动。机器学习方法，特别是卷积神经网络（cnn），可以从冠层覆盖照片中自动分析单个物种的覆盖，但研究物种相互作用所需的覆盖评估质量尚不清楚。本研究旨在量化基于冠层覆盖度的谷物-蚕豆间作的竞争动态，并评估CNN性能所需的可靠分析。方法采集不同谷物品种（大麦、黑麦、小黑麦、小麦）、小黑麦与蚕豆混合比例（1:1、1:3、3:1）和空间设计（行或混合）的谷物-蚕豆间作的RGB图像。对397张图片的冠层覆盖进行了人工标注，确定了谷物、蚕豆和杂草类别。训练了四个不同复杂程度的CNN模型，其中最简单的模型是现成的。我们比较了ground-truth和cnn分割数据之间的定性模式和Lotka-Volterra竞争参数。结果在Lotka-Volterra内在生长速率参数中，黑麦的竞争力最强，小麦的竞争力最低。将谷物和豆类分开行，减少间作中谷物的比例，降低了谷物相对于蚕豆的竞争力，导致冠层覆盖更均匀，种间竞争参数更对称。所有CNN模型均达到了较高的准确率（Intersection over Union (IoU) = 0.900-0.926）。虽然基于cnn的分割在视觉上匹配了基础真值模式，但只有我们最复杂的模型接近基础真值参数估计，而其他三个模型产生的值太不确定或有偏差，无法支持相同的结论。结论中等复杂性的CNN模型足以定性地解释覆盖趋势，但要进行更精细的生态分析，需要更复杂的CNN模型。灵敏度分析可以帮助在训练如此复杂的CNN之前量化所需的性能。
{"title":"Can convolutional neural networks support agronomic analysis of cereal–legume canopy cover dynamics?","authors":"David Kottelenberg , Lammert Bastiaans , Rick van Essen , Gert Kootstra , Jacob C. Douma","doi":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fcr.2025.110236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Understanding crop–crop and crop–weed interactions is essential for designing overyielding and weed-suppressive intercropping systems. Measurements of canopy cover over time can provide insights into these interactions, but are labour-intensive to collect. Machine learning methods, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs), could automatically analyse cover of individual species from canopy cover photos, yet the quality of the cover assessment that is needed to study species interaction remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to quantify competitive dynamics in cereal–faba bean intercrops based on canopy cover and assess CNN performance required for reliable analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We collected RGB images from cereal–faba bean intercrops varying in cereal species (barley, rye, triticale, wheat), triticale:faba bean mixing ratios (1:1, 1:3, 3:1), and spatial design (row or mixed). Canopy cover was manually annotated for 397 images, identifying cereal, faba bean, and weed classes. Four CNN models of varying complexity were trained, the simplest of which were used off-the-shelf. We compared qualitative patterns and Lotka–Volterra competition parameters between ground-truth and CNN-segmented data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ground-truth data revealed that rye was the most competitive cereal, and wheat the least, reflected in Lotka-Volterra intrinsic growth rate parameters. Separating cereals and legumes into rows and reducing the cereal proportion in intercrops decreased cereal competitiveness relative to faba bean, resulting in more even canopy cover and more symmetrical competition parameters between species. All CNN models achieved high accuracy (Intersection over Union (IoU) = 0.900–0.926). While CNN-based segmentations matched ground-truth patterns visually, only our most complex model came close to the ground-truth parameter estimates, whereas the other three produced values too uncertain or biased to support the same conclusions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We conclude that moderate-complexity CNN models are sufficient to qualitatively interpret cover trends, but for more refined ecological analysis more complex CNNs are needed. Sensitivity analysis could aid in quantifying the performance needed before training such a complex CNN.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12143,"journal":{"name":"Field Crops Research","volume":"337 ","pages":"Article 110236"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145555359","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}
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