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Diversifying crop rotation increases food production, reduces net greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaolin Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
    China Agricultural University)

  • Jinran Xiong

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
    China Agricultural University)

  • Taisheng Du

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
    China Agricultural University)

  • Xiaotang Ju

    (Hainan University)

  • Yantai Gan

    (Wenzhou University
    The μBC-Soil Group, Tallus Heights)

  • Sien Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
    China Agricultural University)

  • Longlong Xia

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yanjun Shen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Steven Pacenka

    (Cornell University)

  • Tammo S. Steenhuis

    (Cornell University)

  • Kadambot H. M. Siddique

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Shaozhong Kang

    (State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
    China Agricultural University)

  • Klaus Butterbach-Bahl

    (Aarhus University
    Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT))

Abstract

Global food production faces challenges in balancing the need for increased yields with environmental sustainability. This study presents a six-year field experiment in the North China Plain, demonstrating the benefits of diversifying traditional cereal monoculture (wheat–maize) with cash crops (sweet potato) and legumes (peanut and soybean). The diversified rotations increase equivalent yield by up to 38%, reduce N2O emissions by 39%, and improve the system’s greenhouse gas balance by 88%. Furthermore, including legumes in crop rotations stimulates soil microbial activities, increases soil organic carbon stocks by 8%, and enhances soil health (indexed with the selected soil physiochemical and biological properties) by 45%. The large-scale adoption of diversified cropping systems in the North China Plain could increase cereal production by 32% when wheat–maize follows alternative crops in rotation and farmer income by 20% while benefiting the environment. This study provides an example of sustainable food production practices, emphasizing the significance of crop diversification for long-term agricultural resilience and soil health.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaolin Yang & Jinran Xiong & Taisheng Du & Xiaotang Ju & Yantai Gan & Sien Li & Longlong Xia & Yanjun Shen & Steven Pacenka & Tammo S. Steenhuis & Kadambot H. M. Siddique & Shaozhong Kang & Klaus But, 2024. "Diversifying crop rotation increases food production, reduces net greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44464-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44464-9
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    1. Massigoge, Ignacio & Baral, Rudra & Cominelli, Sofía & Denson, Ethan & Helguera, Paula García & Guareschi, Cesar & Simão, Luana M. & Rud, Joaquín Peraza & Pires, Carlos B. & Dille, J. Anita & Lollato,, 2024. "Exploring alternative crop rotations to continuous winter wheat for agricultural intensification in the US central Great Plains," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    2. Sun Zhang & Wei Chen & Yanan Wang & Qiao Li & Haimeng Shi & Meng Li & Zhongxiao Sun & Bingrui Zhu & Gezahegne Seyoum, 2024. "Human interventions have enhanced the net ecosystem productivity of farmland in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Jialing Teng & Ruixing Hou & Jennifer A. J. Dungait & Guiyao Zhou & Yakov Kuzyakov & Jingbo Zhang & Jing Tian & Zhenling Cui & Fusuo Zhang & Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, 2024. "Conservation agriculture improves soil health and sustains crop yields after long-term warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Sayed Alim Samim & Xiangzheng Deng & Zhihui Li, 2024. "Climate-smart agricultural practices- determinants and impact on crop production. New insights from Afghanistan," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 29(8), pages 1-31, December.

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