Summary
This 39-year field study demonstrates that legume-forage based crop rotations, particularly those incorporating sainfoin and alfalfa, synergistically enhance both soil multifunctionality and economic returns in dryland agroecosystems, whereas cereal-only rotations generate short-term economic gains with minimal soil function improvement. The research identifies soil carbon and nutrient cycling as key mechanistic drivers of multifunctionality under long-term rotation. The findings support the integration of forage legumes into wheat-based rotation systems as an effective strategy for sustaining both soil health and farm profitability in water-limited environments.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in dryland China and may have direct relevance to dryland farming regions in the United Kingdom, particularly in eastern areas with lower rainfall. However, transferability to UK conditions would depend on soil type, climate analogue matching, and the availability and agronomic suitability of the specific legume forage cultivars used; further UK field validation would be warranted.
Key measures
Soil multifunctionality indices (topsoil and subsoil), crop yields, economic benefits, soil carbon, nutrient cycling
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated soil multifunctionality (SMF) in topsoil and subsoil, crop yields, and economic benefits across 39 years of contrasting rotation systems. Results demonstrated that legume forage-based rotations significantly improved SMF and concurrent economic sustainability compared to cereal-only systems.
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