Post-Intensification Poaceae Cropping: Declining Soil, Unfilled Grain Potential, Time to Act.

ABSTRACT: The status and sustainability of Poaceae crops, wheat and barley, were examined in an Atlantic zone climate. Intensification had caused yield to rise 3-fold over the last 50 years but had also degraded soil and biodiversity. Soil carbon and nitrogen were compared with current growth and yield of crops. The yield gap was estimated and options considered for raising yield. Organic carbon stores in the soil (C-soil) ranged from <2% in intensified systems growing long-season wheat to >4% in low-input, short-season barley and grass. Carbon acquisition by crops (C-crop) was driven mainly by length of season and nitrogen input. The highest C-crop was 8320 kg ha^-1 C in long-season wheat supported by >250 kg ha^-1 mineral N fertiliser and the lowest 1420 kg ha^-1 in s

SUBMITTER: Squire GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10384148 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature