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Global systematic review with meta-analysis reveals yield advantage of legume-based rotations and its drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Jie Zhao

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Ji Chen

    (Aarhus University)

  • Damien Beillouin

    (CIRAD, UPR HORTSYS)

  • Hans Lambers

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Yadong Yang

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Pete Smith

    (University of Aberdeen)

  • Zhaohai Zeng

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Jørgen E. Olesen

    (Aarhus University)

  • Huadong Zang

    (China Agricultural University)

Abstract

Diversified cropping systems, especially those including legumes, have been proposed to enhance food production with reduced inputs and environmental impacts. However, the impact of legume pre-crops on main crop yield and its drivers has never been systematically investigated in a global context. Here, we synthesize 11,768 yield observations from 462 field experiments comparing legume-based and non-legume cropping systems and show that legumes enhanced main crop yield by 20%. These yield advantages decline with increasing N fertilizer rates and crop diversity of the main cropping system. The yield benefits are consistent among main crops (e.g., rice, wheat, maize) and evident across pedo-climatic regions. Moreover, greater yield advantages (32% vs. 7%) are observed in low- vs. high-yielding environments, suggesting legumes increase crop production with low inputs (e.g., in Africa or organic agriculture). In conclusion, our study suggests that legume-based rotations offer a critical pathway for enhancing global crop production, especially when integrated into low-input and low-diversity agricultural systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie Zhao & Ji Chen & Damien Beillouin & Hans Lambers & Yadong Yang & Pete Smith & Zhaohai Zeng & Jørgen E. Olesen & Huadong Zang, 2022. "Global systematic review with meta-analysis reveals yield advantage of legume-based rotations and its drivers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32464-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32464-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Xia, Haiyong & Qiao, Yuetong & Li, Xiaojing & Xue, Yanhui & Wang, Na & Yan, Wei & Xue, Yanfang & Cui, Zhenling & van der Werf, Wopke, 2023. "Moderation of nitrogen input and integration of legumes via intercropping enable sustainable intensification of wheat-maize double cropping in the North China Plain: A four-year rotation study," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    2. Mengjie Qiao & Ruibo Sun & Zixuan Wang & Kenneth Dumack & Xingguang Xie & Chuanchao Dai & Ertao Wang & Jizhong Zhou & Bo Sun & Xinhua Peng & Michael Bonkowski & Yan Chen, 2024. "Legume rhizodeposition promotes nitrogen fixation by soil microbiota under crop diversification," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Peltonen-Sainio, Pirjo & Niemi, Mari & Jauhiainen, Lauri, 2024. "Legacy effects of crop sequencing on biomass and their variability on farmers' fields in Finland are shaped by weather, farm conditions and rationales for land use," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    4. Guo, Shibo & Zhao, Jin & Zhao, Chuang & Guo, Erjing & Liu, Zhijuan & Harrison, Matthew Tom & Liu, Ke & Zhang, Tianyi & Yang, Xiaoguang, 2024. "Adapting crop land-use in line with a changing climate improves productivity, prosperity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    5. Yang, Lei & Fang, Xiangyang & Zhou, Jie & Zhao, Jie & Hou, Xiqing & Yang, Yadong & Zang, Huadong & Zeng, Zhaohai, 2024. "Optimal irrigation for wheat-maize rotation depending on precipitation in the North China Plain: Evidence from a four-year experiment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    6. Fernando Aramburu-Merlos & Fatima A. M. Tenorio & Nester Mashingaidze & Alex Sananka & Stephen Aston & Jonathan J. Ojeda & Patricio Grassini, 2024. "Adopting yield-improving practices to meet maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa without cropland expansion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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