Sustainable Cropping SystemsJeffrey A. Coulter Global crop production must substantially increase to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population. This is constrained by the availability of nutrients, water, and land. There is also an urgent need to reduce the negative environmental impacts of crop production. Collectively, these issues represent one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. Sustainable cropping systems based on ecological principles are the core of integrated approaches to solve this critical challenge. This special issue provides an international basis for revealing the underlying mechanisms of sustainable cropping systems to drive agronomic innovations. It includes review and original research articles that report novel scientific findings on improvement in cropping systems related to crop yields and their resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, resource use efficiency, environmental impact, sustainability, and ecosystem services. |
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activity Agricultural Agron agronomic analysis annual application average biomass carbon China climate compared compost concentration conventional costs cover crop cropping systems CrossRef density depth determined durum wheat effects efficiency Environ experiment experimental faba bean factors farmers fertilizer field Figure forage grain yield greater growing season growth harvest higher improve incorporation increased indicate influence input interaction irrigation Italy late legumes long-term lower maize manure matter mean method mineral nitrogen North China Plain nutrient observed organic performance period plant plots potato practices production protein recommended reduced reported residue respectively returning rice rotation samples seed shade showed significant significantly silage soil soybean straw sustainable Table temperature tillage treatments tuber uptake values variables weed weight wheat winter