The wheat–maize rotation system in the North China Plain (NCP) has a large amount of crop straw. However, improper crop straw management and blind fertilization lead to nutrient imbalance and accelerated nutrient loss from the soil, ultimately leading to nutrient deficiency affecting the wheat–maize rotation system. In order to explore the effects of nutrient deficiency on the yield and nutrient use efficiency of wheat and maize, the experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design consisting of five treatments with three replicates for each treatment: (1) a potassium fertilizer deficiency and appropriate nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer treatment (NP); (2) a phosphate fertilizer deficiency and appropriate nitrogen and potassium fertilizer treatment (NK); (3) a nitrogen fertilizer deficiency and appropriate phosphate and potassium fertilizer treatment (PK); (4) an adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer treatment (NPK); and (5) a no-fertilizer treatment (CK). The results showed that, compared with CK, the yields of wheat and maize treated with NPK were increased by 21.5% and 27.5%, respectively, and the accumulation of the dry matter of the wheat and maize was increased by 42.5% and 57.3%. In all the deficiency treatments, the NK treatment performed better in terms of yield compared to the NP and PK treatments, while the NP treatment demonstrated a greater increase in dry matter accumulation. The NPK treatment significantly improved the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) of the wheat and maize, which resulted in higher nitrogen accumulation in the NPK treatment, and the NP treatment was the best among the other nutrient deficiency treatments. The inorganic nitrogen content showed a similar trend. In conclusion, nutrient deficiency can severely restrict crop growth. Nitrogen deficiency can significantly reduce crop yields. Phosphorus deficiency had a greater impact than potassium deficiency in terms of nutrient absorption and accumulation. Therefore, nitrogen fertilizer application should be emphasized in crop rotation systems, with moderate increases in phosphorus fertilizer application. This practice can effectively improve the nutrient deficiency under the wheat and maize rotation system in the NCP and complete a rational fertilization system.

Drought poses a significant challenge to global crop productivity, necessitating innovative approaches to bolster plant resilience. Leveraging transgenic technology to bolster drought tolerance in crops emerges as a promising strategy for addressing the demands of a rapidly growing global populace. AtZAT10/STZ1, a C2H2-type zinc finger protein transcription factor has shown to significantly improve Arabidopsis’ tolerance to various abiotic stresses. In this study, we reports that AtSTZ1 confers notable drought resistance in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), amplifying cotton fiber yield under varying conditions, including irrigated and water-limited environments, in field trials. Notably, AtSTZ1-overexpressing transgenic cotton showcases enhanced drought resilience across critical growth stages, including seed germination, seedling establishment, and reproductive phases. Morphological analysis reveals an expanded root system characterized by an elongated taproot system, increased lateral roots, augmented root biomass, and enlarged cell dimensions from transgenic cotton plants. Additionally, higher contents of proline, chlorophyll, soluble sugars, and enhanced ROS-scavenging enzyme activities are observed in leaves of transgenic plants subjected to drought, underscoring improved physiological adaptations. Furthermore, transgenic lines exhibit heightened photosynthetic rate, increased water use efficiency, and larger stomatal and epidermal cell sizes, coupled with a decline in leaf stomatal conductance and density, as well as diminished transpiration rates compared to the wild type counterparts. Transcriptome profiling unveils 106 differentially expressed genes in transgenic cotton leaves post-drought treatment, including protein kinases, transcription factors, aquaporins, and heat shock proteins, indicative of an orchestrated stress response. Collectively, these findings underscore the capacity of AtSTZ1 to augment the expression of abiotic stress-related genes in cotton following drought conditions, thus presenting a compelling candidate for genetic manipulation aimed at enhancing crop resilience.

High-density maize cultivation can enhance yield, but water scarcity on the Loess Plateau may limit this potential. Mulching is a sustainable practice that conserves soil moisture, yet limited studies exist on the combined effects of planting densities and mulching types on maize performance in this region. Over two years, an experiment investigated the effects of mulching (no mulching (NM), plastic film mulching (PM), and straw mulching (SM)) at various densities (60,000 to 90,000 plants ha⁻¹). The results showed that mulching significantly improved grain yield and other metrics compared to NM. PM and SM enhanced yields notably at 75,000 plants ha⁻¹, while NM was more favorable at 67,500 plants ha⁻¹. Physiological responses varied with density, showing a decreased photosynthesis rate alongside an increased transpiration rate. PM exhibited a 32 and 13% increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, while malondialdehyde content was reduced by 7% compared to NM. The average of both years indicates that PM significantly increased the grain yield, net photosynthesis rate, and chlorophyll content by 5.8, 26.8, and 26.9%, while SM showed a 3, 12, and 12% increase, respectively, compared to NM. In conclusion, the combination of mulching and optimized planting density could enhance maize cultivation in the Loess Plateau.

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of the combined application of organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer using different tillage methods to delay the senescence of maize leaves. The yield and activities of GDH, CAT, APX, GR, and GSH enzymes in maize leaves were measured at different growth stages by using two tillage methods, three organic and inorganic combined applications (P₁, P₂, and P₃), and four control treatments. (1) During the growth period, the R + S and R treatments were P₁ treatments, with the highest enzyme activities noted for GDH, CAT, APX, GR, and GSH, which were 36.79–103.22% higher than those of CK. (2) The average yield of all R + S treatments was higher than that of R treatments, and the average yield of P1 treatment was the highest under R + S, which was 13,663.79 kg hm⁻², which was 6.39%, 7.90%, and 14.67% higher than that of P₂, P₃, and CK, respectively, which was lower than that of R. The yield of P₁ treatment was 2.53% higher. (3) There was a significant positive correlation between APX activity, CAT activity, GR activity, GDH activity, GSH activity, grain number per ear, ear length, and 100-grain weight of maize leaves at the grain filling stage, and a significant negative correlation between bald tip length and yield. The treatment details had the strongest enzyme activity and the highest yield when using the rotary tillage + subsoiling (R + S) P₁ method, which was the most suitable tillage method and the best fertilizer ratio combination, which could be demonstrated and popularized in a large area in the dry farming area of spring maize in Shanxi Province.

It is unclear whether enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) or deep fertilization strategies (DF) can simultaneously improve crop productivity and reduce gaseous nitrogen losses. The DF strategy’s investment cost is lower than that of EEF’s, with more potential for large-scale promotion. However, there is still a need for a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of DF and EEF’s effects on crop productivity and gaseous nitrogen losses. Here, we examine the effects of DF and EEF on crop yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ammonia (NH₃) emissions by a meta-analysis of published studies. We collected peer-reviewed articles on EEF and DF published in recent decades and conducted a global meta-analysis, and explored their responses to different climatic, field management practices, and environmental factors. The results showed that compared with urea application on the surface, EEF and DF significantly increased yields by 7.52% and 13.88% and NUE by 25.84% and 36.27% and reduced N₂O emissions by 37.98% and 34.18% and NH₃ emissions by 42.37% and 69.68%, respectively. The DF strategy is superior to that of the EEF. Due to differences in climatic factors, soil properties, and management practices, the effects of DF and EEF in improving crop productivity and gaseous nitrogen loss vary. However, in most cases, DF is more beneficial than EEF. Compared with EEF, DF significantly increased the yield by 84.63% and reduced NH₃ volatilization by 64.47%, yield-scaled N₂O emission by 13.32%, and yield-scaled NH₃ emission by 60.23%. Therefore, we emphasize that DF can achieve higher yields, nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency, lower emissions of gaseous nitrogen, and lower yield-scaled N₂O and NH₃ emissions than EEF, which is beneficial for the sustainable development of global agricultural ecosystems. The research results provide valuable information on crop productivity and environmental costs under an effective fertilizer type and fertilization strategy management.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is gaining recognition as a pseudocereal due to its nutritional attributes and adaptability to challenging conditions and marginal soils. However, understanding the optimal fertilization for quinoa growth remains a challenge. This study investigates the effects of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg using urea) on quinoa phenology, growth, and photosynthesis in the Loess Plateau region of China, a critical area facing soil erosion and ecological degradation. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization significantly influenced quinoa phenology, prompting early flowering and shorter growth at an optimum rate of 120 kg ha⁻¹. Nitrogen application enhanced growth traits such as plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll content, particularly at the heading and flowering stages. Photosynthesis-related parameters, including net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO₂ concentration, were affected by nitrogen application, with higher values observed at 120 kg ha⁻¹. Non-photochemical quenching was significantly increased by nitrogen application, indicating the efficient dissipation of excess energy. The study demonstrated a positive correlation between grain yield and growth traits, photosynthesis-related traits, and chlorophyll content. In conclusion, quinoa yield could be significantly improved at the Loess Plateau region under rainfed conditions by an optimal nitrogen fertilizer rate of 120 kg ha⁻¹, which reduces the growth duration while increasing photosynthesis traits.