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

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 and Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
Additional contact information
Xiaolin Yang: State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
Jinran Xiong: State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
Taisheng Du: State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
Xiaotang Ju: Hainan University
Yantai Gan: Wenzhou University
Sien Li: State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources
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
Klaus Butterbach-Bahl: Aarhus University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44464-9

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