Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Drivers of soybean-based rotations synergistically increase crop productivity and reduce GHG emissions

Ying Yang, Jun Zou, Wenhai Huang, Jørgen E. Olesen, Wenjie Li, Robert M. Rees, Matthew Tom Harrison, Biao Feng, Yupeng Feng, Fu Chen, Xiaogang Yin

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2024

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Summary

This 2024 field study investigates the synergistic effects of soybean-based rotations on both agronomic performance and climate mitigation potential. The research suggests that strategic rotation design incorporating legumes can simultaneously improve crop yields and reduce greenhouse gas emissions—a finding consistent with growing evidence that nitrogen-fixing crops offer multiple ecosystem co-benefits. The work contributes to understanding how rotation management might serve dual productivity and climate objectives in intensive arable systems.

UK applicability

Soybean cultivation is limited in the UK climate, but the principles regarding legume-based rotations and GHG mitigation are broadly transferable. UK farmers might apply similar rotation concepts using indigenous pulses (beans, peas) to achieve comparable soil nitrogen benefits and emissions reductions.

Key measures

Crop yield; greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂-equivalents); soil nitrogen cycling; carbon sequestration potential

Outcomes reported

The study examined how soybean-based crop rotations influence crop productivity and greenhouse gas emissions. It likely measured grain yields, soil properties, and GHG fluxes (particularly nitrous oxide and methane) across rotation treatments.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
China
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2024.109094
Catalogue ID
SNmoqqrz5j-kyf953

Topic tags

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