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Du C, Liu Y, Guo J, Zhang W, Xu R, Zhou B, Xiao X, Zhang Z, Gao Z, Zhang Y, Sun Z, Zhou X, Wang Z. Novel annual nitrogen management strategy improves crop yield and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in wheat-maize rotation systems under limited irrigation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120236. [PMID: 38310800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Excessive irrigation and nitrogen application have long seriously undermined agricultural sustainability in the North China Plain (NCP), leading to declining groundwater tables and intensified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developing low-input management practices that meet the growing food demand while reducing environmental costs is urgently needed. Here, we developed a novel nitrogen management strategy for a typical winter wheat-summer maize rotation system in the NCP under limited irrigation (wheat sowing irrigation only (W0) or sowing and jointing irrigation (W1)) and low nitrogen input (360 kg N ha-1, about 70 % of traditional annual nitrogen input). Novel nitrogen management strategy promoted efficient nitrogen fertilizer uptake and utilization by both crops via optimization of nitrogen fertilizer allocation between the two crops, i.e., increasing nitrogen inputs to wheat (from 180 to 240 kg N ha-1) while reducing nitrogen inputs to maize (from 180 to 120 kg N ha-1). Three-year field study demonstrated that integrated management practices combining novel nitrogen management strategy with limited irrigation increased annual yields and PFPN by 1.9-5.7 %, and reduced TGE by 55-68 kg CO2-eq ha-1 and GHGI by 2.2-10.3 %, without any additional cost. Our results provide agricultural operators and policymakers with practical and easy-to-scalable integrated management strategy, and offer key initiative to promote grain production in the NCP towards agriculture sustainable intensification with high productivity and efficiency, water conservation and emission reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghang Du
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jieru Guo
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wanqing Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Runlai Xu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bingjin Zhou
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xuechen Xiao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhiqiang Gao
- Ministerial and Provincial Co-Innovation Centre for Endemic Crops Production with High-Quality and Efficiency in Loess Plateau, Taigu 030801, China; College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
| | - Yinghua Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhencai Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xiaonan Zhou
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Zhimin Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Wang C, Zhao J, Gao Z, Feng Y, Chu Q. Cleaner tillage and irrigation options for food-water-energy-carbon synergism in wheat-maize cropping systems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117710. [PMID: 37996001 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The conventional wheat-maize systems in the North China Plain are energy and water intensive with high carbon emissions. It is imperative to find cleaner production technologies for sustainable food-water-energy-carbon synergism. Here, a three-year field experiment was performed to explore the effects of two tillage modes and four irrigation regimes during wheat season on crop yield, economic profile, water use efficiency, energy utilization, and carbon footprint in typical wheat-maize cropping systems in the North China Plain. Pre-sowing irrigation resulted in the lowest crop yield and benefit profile. Pre-sowing + anthesis irrigation decreased economic benefit and water use efficiency with higher carbon footprint. Pre-sowing + jointing + anthesis irrigation led to the greatest energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, pre-sowing + jointing irrigation increased yield by 2.3-8.7%, economic benefit by 4.0-11.1%, water use efficiency by 7.4-10.9%, and net energy by 6.5-12.0% but reduced carbon footprint by 9.8-14.3% compared to pre-sowing + anthesis irrigation and pre-sowing + jointing + anthesis irrigation. The corresponding metrics in rotary tillage improved by 9.6%, 13.9%, 7.0%, and 14.2%, respectively, relative to subsoiling, whereas carbon footprint decreased by 12.4-17.2%. Besides, rotary tillage coupled with additional jointing irrigation obtained the highest value based on a Z-score method, which was recommended as a cleaner management practice to improve benefit return and water use efficiency with lower energy consumption and carbon footprint. This work provides valuable insights into food-water-energy-carbon nexus for ensuring food security and achieving environmental sustainability in the wheat-maize cropping systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Wang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Jiongchao Zhao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Farming System, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Zhenzhen Gao
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Farming System, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Yupeng Feng
- National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center, Beijing, 100125, China.
| | - Qingquan Chu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Key Laboratory of Farming System, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Cheng S, Xing Z, Tian C, Weng W, Hu Q, Zhang H. Optimization of One-Time Fertilization Scheme Achieved the Balance of Yield, Quality and Economic Benefits of Direct-Seeded Rice. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2047. [PMID: 37653963 PMCID: PMC10223055 DOI: 10.3390/plants12102047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
There is limited information available to assess the impact of one-time fertilization on the yield, quality, and economic benefits of direct-seeded rice. This study reports the effects of three one-time fertilizer treatments (BBU1, BBU2, and BBU3) on the yield, quality, and economic benefits of direct-seeded rice, where controlled-release nitrogen (N) fertilizer (CRNF) provided 50%, 60%, and 70% of the total N (270 kg N ha-1), and the control treatment (CK) was a split application of conventional urea (CU). The results showed that the yield of direct-seeded rice decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increased application ratio of CRNF under one-time fertilization, which was mainly related to N accumulation between the heading time and maturity stages. Compared to CK, the one-time fertilization treatments (BBU1, BBU2, and BBU3) maintained high milling quality, with significantly reduced chalkiness (p < 0.05), which could be related to the slow rate of N release from the CRNF. In addition, the one-time fertilization treatments reduced the protein content and increased the amylose content of the milled rice, which significantly improved the eating quality (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in yield and economic benefit between BBUI and CK (p > 0.05). Overall, CRNF replacing conventional urea with 50% total N could be helpful to reduce fertilization frequency, achieve high yield and high economic efficiency, and improve rice quality of direct-seeded rice under one-time fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhipeng Xing
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Research Institute of Rice Industrial Engineering Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (S.C.); (C.T.); (W.W.); (Q.H.)
| | | | | | | | - Hongcheng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Research Institute of Rice Industrial Engineering Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (S.C.); (C.T.); (W.W.); (Q.H.)
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Ning D, Zhang Y, Qin A, Gao Y, Duan A, Zhang J, Liu Z, Zhao B, Liu Z. Interactive effects of irrigation system and level on grain yield, crop water use, and greenhouse gas emissions of summer maize in North China Plain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 864:161165. [PMID: 36572302 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Irrigation management is one of most critical factors influencing soil N2O and CO2 emissions in dryland agriculture. To explore the effects of irrigation systems and levels on the mitigation of N2O and CO2 emissions from maize fields and to determine the balance among greenhouse gases (GHG) emission, water-saving and grain yield, a two-year field experiment was conducted in the North China Plain (NCP) during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019. Two irrigation systems (i.e., flood irrigation, FI, and drip irrigation, DI) were adopted with four irrigation levels in each system, including 65 mm/event (sufficient irrigation, CK), 50 mm/event (decreased by 23 %), 35 mm/event (by 46 %) and 20 mm/event (by 69 %), respectively. The results showed that both irrigation systems and levels had significant effects on soil N2O and CO2 emissions (P < 0.05). Nitrous oxide (N2O) and CO2 emissions peaked following irrigation or irrigation + fertilization events during sowing to early filling stage (R1), with the peak values increasing with irrigation levels. Meanwhile, peak values from FI were higher than those from DI at 50 mm and 65 mm irrigation levels. The average cumulative N2O and CO2 emissions of DI treatments were 14.9 % and 6.23 % lower than those of FI treatments (P < 0.05), respectively. Soil moisture was identified as one of the most crucial factors influencing N2O and CO2 fluxes. Deficit irrigation efficiently deceased cumulative N2O and CO2 emissions, but moderate to severe deficit irrigation brought significant reduction in grain yield. Drip irrigation with a slight deficit irrigation level (decreased by 23 %) obtained the best economic and environmental benefits, which achieved the dual goal of lower GHG emissions but higher WUE without sacrificing grain yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Ning
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China.
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Anzhen Qin
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Aiwang Duan
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Jiyang Zhang
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Zugui Liu
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Ben Zhao
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xinxiang 453002, China.
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Guardia G, Abalos D, Mateo-Marín N, Nair D, Petersen SO. Using DMPP with cattle manure can mitigate yield-scaled global warming potential under low rainfall conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120679. [PMID: 36402419 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Organic fertilisers can reduce the carbon (C) footprint from croplands, but adequate management strategies such as the use of nitrification inhibitors are required to minimise side-effects on nitrogen (N) losses to the atmosphere or waterbodies. This could be particularly important in a context on changing rainfall patterns due to climate change. A lysimeter experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) was set up on a coarse sandy soil to evaluate the efficacy of 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, nitrate (NO3-) leaching losses and net global warming potential from manure, with (R+) and without (R-) simulated rainfall events. Soil water availability was a limiting factor for plant growth and microbial processes due to low rainfall during the growing season. Nitrification was effectively inhibited by DMPP, decreasing topsoil NO3- concentrations by 28% on average and cumulative N2O losses by 82%. Most of the N2O was emitted during the growing season, with annual emission factors of 0.07% and 0.95% for manure with and without DMPP, respectively. Cumulative N2O emissions were 40% higher in R-compared to R+, possibly because of the higher topsoil NO3- concentrations. There was no effect of DMPP or rainfall amount on annual NO3- leaching losses, which corresponded to 12% of manure-N and were mainly driven by the post-harvest period. DMPP did not affect yield or N use efficiency (NUE) while R-caused severe reductions on biomass and NUE. We conclude that dry growing seasons can jeopardize crop production while concurrently increasing greenhouse gas emissions from a sandy soil. The use of nitrification inhibitors is strongly recommended under these conditions to address the climate change impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Guardia
- Departamento de Química y Tecnología de Alimentos, ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Estudios e Investigación para la Gestión de Riesgos Agrarios y Medioambientales (CEIGRAM), Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Department of Agroecology, iClimate, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark.
| | - Diego Abalos
- Department of Agroecology, iClimate, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Noemí Mateo-Marín
- Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon, Av. Montañana, 930, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Drishya Nair
- AgroTech, Danish Technological Institute (DTI), Agro Food Park, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren O Petersen
- Department of Agroecology, iClimate, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
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