Optimizing Cropping Systems to Balance Yield and Reduced Environmental Impact

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by investigators at Hebei Normal University explored an optimal cropping system that achieves a balance between high yield and reduced environmental impact in the North China Plain, while promoting sustainable agricultural development. The study focused on the winter wheat-summer maize double-cropping system with high input and output, which is the primary source of greenhouse-gas emissions. The research aimed to evaluate the impacts of future climatic change on yield and greenhouse gas emissions of five cropping systems, using the Agricultural Production System Simulator Model (APSIM).

Key Takeaways:

  • The research identified the winter wheat-summer maize double-cropping system as the primary source of greenhouse-gas emissions in the North China Plain.
  • The study found that future climatic change would be beneficial for wheat and maize yields for all cropping systems under most climate scenarios.
  • Compared with the conventional intensive 1Y2MS0 system, cropping system adjustment could decrease indirect emissions from agricultural input, thereby reducing GHG emissions by 21.6-46.0%.
  • The optimal planting system in the North China Plain to balance grain yields and GHG emissions in the future is suggested to be 2Y3MS1.
  • Straw mulching during the fallow period was found to slightly increase N2O emissions but could enhance soil carbon sequestration.
  • The research concluded that 2Y3MS1 is the optimal planting system in the NCP to balance grain yields and GHG emissions in the future.
  • The study suggests that cleaner production developments can inform regional multi-crop systems to reduce carbon footprint.

Statistics:

  • The winter wheat-summer maize double-cropping system accounts for the primary source of greenhouse-gas emissions in the North China Plain.
  • Future climatic change is projected to increase greenhouse gas emissions from all cropping systems by 21.6-46.0% compared to the conventional intensive system.
  • Straw mulching during the fallow period increases N2O emissions by a slight amount.
  • Soil carbon sequestration is enhanced through straw mulching.
  • The optimal planting system 2Y3MS1 reduces GHG emissions by 21.6-46.0% compared to the conventional intensive 1Y2MS0 system.

Sources:

  • Future Climate Change Impacts On Grain Yield and Agricultural Greenhouse-gas Emissions Under Different Cropping Systems In the North China Plain (2025;76(6)).
  • CRIO Publishing (www.publish.csiro.au).
  • Dengpan Xiao et al. (Hebei Normal University, College of Geographical Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050024, People's Republic of China).
  • NewsRx (Findings on Climate Change Discussed by Investigators at Hebei Normal University (Future Climate Change Impacts On Grain Yield and Agricultural Greenhouse-gas Emissions Under Different Cropping Systems In the North China Plain)).