{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.01.012", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:16:37Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2006-04-18", "title": "Soil Organic Carbon (Soc) Dynamics With And Without Residue Incorporation In Relation To Different Nitrogen Fertilisation Rates", "description": "Abstract Crop residue incorporation is recognised as a simple way to increase C input into the soil, with positive effects on C sequestration from the atmosphere. However, in some long-term experiments, a lack of response to soil C input levels has been observed as a consequence of saturation phenomena and/or interactions between C input and fertilisation. This paper analyses the outcomes of a long-term experiment in north-eastern Italy that started in 1966 and is still ongoing, where residue incorporation is compared with residue removal, over a range of mineral N fertilisations. A general decrease of SOC content was observed in the first 10\u00a0years of the experiment, followed by an approach to a steady state. However, SOC content differed markedly according to residue management and, in plots with residue incorporation, to N fertilisation. Considering 20\u00a0years as a compromise period for reaching a new equilibrium after a land-use change, the sequestration rate of residue incorporation in comparison with removal resulted as 0.17 t ha \u2212\u00a01 of C per year. The measured data were then simulated with Century, a model based on first-order decomposition kinetic, to evaluate if the data could be interpreted by this kind of decomposition process. Model performances were good in most cases, but overestimated SOC decomposition in the more limiting situations for C and N inputs. A possible explanation is given for this behaviour, involving a feed-back effect of the microbial community.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Soil organic carbon; Residue incorporation; Nitrogen fertilisation; Century model; Feed-back effect"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.01.012"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Geoderma", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.01.012", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.01.012", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.01.012"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2006-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.eja.2008.07.003", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:16:12Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2008-09-07", "title": "Competition For Nitrogen In An Unfertilized Intercropping System: The Case Of An Association Of Grapevine And Grass Cover In A Mediterranean Climate", "description": "Cover cropping is currently increasing in vineyards as it provides solutions to some of the problems encountered in vine growing. However, its development is still hampered in Mediterranean regions because of fears of severe competition for water. Recent studies have shown that soil resources other than water may also be restrictive, and particularly nitrogen. Over a three-year period, the effect of introducing a cover crop was studied with respect to the temporal and spatial changes to nitrogen dynamics in a Mediterranean vineyard. The experiment compared the impact of three different types of soil cover management on nitrogen dynamics, and particularly on soil nitrogen mineralization which is the principal source of inorganic nitrogen in situations with no application of N fertilizers which are frequent in viticulture. This experiment provided evidence that the presence of an intercrop significantly reduced nitrogen accumulation in aerial parts of grapevine during the year due to competition for soil resources. This reduction varied markedly between years and treatments, and was more pronounced during dry years. The competition for nitrogen was direct as intercrop deprived grapevine of soil nitrogen beneath the inter-row and caused grapevine uptake to be higher beneath the row. In deep soils, a grapevine can adapt its root system in order to access deeper water resources, but it then partially abandons the mineralization zone containing most inorganic nitrogen. Competition for nitrogen was less marked with a temporary cover crop than with a permanent one, because of the shorter period of uptake with the former and the time needed for an annual cover crop to develop its root system each year. Intercrop also competed indirectly for nitrogen with grapevine as it took up soil water and made inorganic nitrogen less mobile and accessible to grapevine. Intercrop markedly decreased soil nitrogen mineralization. Although it did not significantly affect organic matter characteristics or soil temperature, it clearly modified the water regime. Indeed, under either temporary or perennial cover crops, the upper soil layers dried more rapidly than when there was only evaporation from bare soil. Consequently, nitrogen mineralization decreased faster with intercropped treatments and halted prematurely during the summer. The earliness of the reduction in nitrogen accumulation in intercropped vineyards also suggested that a lower level of nitrogen transfer to perennial reserves was involved. Indeed, grass cover grows and competes for nitrogen during the autumn which is a favourable period for nitrogen accumulation in wood reserves. Although better water infiltration was observed in the presence of a cover crop (notably in the autumn), the favourable conditions for nitrogen mineralization were propitious for grass cover growth and uptake. Consequently, intercrop reduced grapevine growth of the year but also the potential growth for the next year by decreasing grapevine nitrogen perennial reserves", "keywords": ["[SDV.SA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences", "P33 - Chimie et physique du sol", "2. Zero hunger", "0106 biological sciences", "[SDV.SA] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences", "STRESS", "550", "F08 - Syst\u00e8mes et modes de culture", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8283", "WATER-NITROGEN INTERACTION", "COMPETITION", "NITROGEN BALANCE", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4188", "INTERCROPPING", "Vitis vinifera", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3081", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3910", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "culture intercalaire", "RELATION SOURCE-PUITS", "F04 - Fertilisation"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2008.07.003"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/European%20Journal%20of%20Agronomy", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.eja.2008.07.003", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.eja.2008.07.003", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.eja.2008.07.003"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2009-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s00374-011-0539-3", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:14:35Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2011-01-18", "title": "Effects Of Organic And Inorganic Fertilization On Soil Bacterial And Fungal Microbial Diversity In The Kabete Long-Term Trial, Kenya", "description": "The effects of crop manure and inorganic fertilizers on composition of microbial communities of central high land soils of Kenya are poorly known. For this reason, we have carried out a thirty-two-year-old long-term trial in Kabete, Kenya. These soils were treated with organic (maize stover (MS) at 10 t ha\u22121, farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha\u22121) and inorganic fertilizers 120 kg N, 52.8 kg P (N2P2), N2P2 + MS, N2P2 + FYM, a control, and a fallow for over 30 years. We examined 16S rRNA gene and 28S rRNA gene fingerprints of bacterial and fungal diversity by PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis separation, respectively. The PCR bacterial community structure and diversity were negatively affected by N2P2 and were more closely related to the bacterial structure in the soils without any addition (control) than that of soils with a combination of inorganic and organic or inorganic fertilizers alone. The effect on fungal diversity by N2P2 was different than the effect on bacterial diversity since the fungal diversity was similar to that of the N2P2 + FYM and N2P2 + MS-treated. However, soils treated with organic inputs clustered away from soils amended with inorganic inputs. Organic inputs had a positive effect on both bacterial and fungal diversity with or without chemical fertilizers. Results from this study suggested that total diversity of bacterial and fungal communities was closely related to agro-ecosystem management practices and may partially explain the yield differences observed between the different treatments.", "keywords": ["[SDV.SA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences", "Microbial diversity", "soil microorganisms", "engrais organique", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_27870", "Organic and inorganic amendments", "F08 - Syst\u00e8mes et modes de culture", "rendement des cultures", "630", "fertilisation", "biodiversit\u00e9", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4592", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36669", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2018", "inorganic fertilizers", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10795", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_34326", "fertility", "2. Zero hunger", "[SDV.SA] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_33949", "g\u00e9n\u00e9tique des populations", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "agro\u00e9cosyst\u00e8me", "6. Clean water", "fertilit\u00e9 du sol", "PCR", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_34079", "polymerization", "community structure", "abonos inorg\u00e1nicos", "management", "570", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7170", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7172", "flore microbienne", "soil", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36167", "micro-organisme du sol", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10176", "organic fertilizers", "abonos org\u00e1nicos", "pratique culturale", "microorganismos del suelo", "suelo", "flore du sol", "P35 - Fertilit\u00e9 du sol", "P34 - Biologie du sol", "polimerizaci\u00f3n", "15. Life on land", "engrais min\u00e9ral", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16367", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4086", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "F04 - Fertilisation"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-011-0539-3"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Biology%20and%20Fertility%20of%20Soils", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s00374-011-0539-3", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s00374-011-0539-3", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s00374-011-0539-3"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2011-01-19T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s10705-012-9547-4", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:15:00Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-12-14", "title": "Soil N2o And Co2 Emissions From Cotton In Australia Under Varying Irrigation Management", "description": "Irrigation is known to stimulate soil microbial carbon and nitrogen turnover and potentially the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). We conducted a study to evaluate the effect of three different irrigation intensities on soil N2O and CO2 fluxes and to determine if irrigation management can be used to mitigate N2O emissions from irrigated cotton on black vertisols in South-Eastern Queensland, Australia. Fluxes were measured over the entire 2009/2010 cotton growing season with a fully automated chamber system that measured emissions on a sub-daily basis. Irrigation intensity had a significant effect on CO2 emission. More frequent irrigation stimulated soil respiration and seasonal CO2 fluxes ranged from 2.7 to 4.1 Mg-C ha\u22121 for the treatments with the lowest and highest irrigation frequency, respectively. N2O emission happened episodic with highest emissions when heavy rainfall or irrigation coincided with elevated soil mineral N levels and seasonal emissions ranged from 0.80 to 1.07 kg N2O-N ha\u22121 for the different treatments. Emission factors (EF = proportion of N fertilizer emitted as N2O) over the cotton cropping season, uncorrected for background emissions, ranged from 0.40 to 0.53 % of total N applied for the different treatments. There was no significant effect of the different irrigation treatments on soil N2O fluxes because highest emission happened in all treatments following heavy rainfall caused by a series of summer thunderstorms which overrode the effect of the irrigation treatment. However, higher irrigation intensity increased the cotton yield and therefore reduced the N2O intensity (N2O emission per lint yield) of this cropping system. Our data suggest that there is only limited scope to reduce absolute N2O emissions by different irrigation intensities in irrigated cotton systems with summer dominated rainfall. However, the significant impact of the irrigation treatments on the N2O intensity clearly shows that irrigation can easily be used to optimize the N2O intensity of such a system.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "Nitrous oxide", "571", "550", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "630", "Fertilisation", "6. Clean water", "12. Responsible consumption", "Irrigation management", "Carbon dioxide", "13. Climate action", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "1102 Agronomy and Crop Science", "1111 Soil Science", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://eprints.qut.edu.au/218966/1/Scheer_2013_FRES.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-012-9547-4"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nutrient%20Cycling%20in%20Agroecosystems", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s10705-012-9547-4", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s10705-012-9547-4", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s10705-012-9547-4"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-12-15T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s10705-025-10429-1", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:15:01Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-08-20", "title": "Regenerating productivity after soil fertility depletion in a 20-year cotton\u2013maize rotation in Benin", "description": "Abstract

Soil degradation is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, where integrated soil fertility management has been promoted to restore productivity. A long-term experiment (1972\uffe2\uff80\uff931992) run in Benin consisted of two phases: a depletion phase (1972\uffe2\uff80\uff931980) with varying levels of mineral and organic fertilisation, and a regeneration phase (1981\uffe2\uff80\uff931992) where all plots received full fertilisation and organic matter additions. Soils were sampled at 0\uffe2\uff80\uff9320\uffc2\uffa0cm depth in 1973, 1974, 1982, and 1989 to assess fertility changes. Mineral fertilisation (N, P, K) and plant biomass management (crop residue retention and biomass additions) significantly influenced seed cotton and maize grain yields during the depletion phase. Soil organic carbon declined consistently in all treatments during depletion but remained stable during regeneration. The long-term effect was evident only in seed cotton yield during depletion. In contrast, due to high variability, maize grain yield showed no consistent trend. The combined use of organic resources and mineral fertilisers helped maintain crop productivity but led to declining soil chemical properties in this Ferralsol. The analysis of this outdated yet unpublished dataset shed light on how long-term soil depletion effects persist over time, even when soil fertility management is restored, indicating a sort of \uffe2\uff80\uff98soil memory\uffe2\uff80\uff99. The persistence of these effect suggests that regenerative interventions must begin before critical thresholds of degradation are crossed. Future research should focus on alternative measures to restore/maintain soil fertility not evaluated in this experiment, such as conservation tillage or legume integration, to provide long-term benefits for smallholder farmers facing soil fertility challenges.---
agriculture intensive", "organic agriculture", "rendement", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "01 natural sciences", "fertilisation", "intensive agriculture", "leaching", "[SDV.EE] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology", " environment", "agriculture biologique", "nitrate", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Antanas Sigitas Sileika, Saulius Guzys,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1051/agro:2003428"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agronomie", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1051/agro:2003428", "name": "item", "description": "10.1051/agro:2003428", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1051/agro:2003428"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2003-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1071/ar9960109", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:18:32Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2004-11-17", "title": "Amelioration Of Coarse-Textured Acidic Soils Used For Macadamia Production. Ii. Effects Of Surface Applied Lime On Subsoil Properties", "description": "

The chemical properties of the soil at depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-50 cm at two field sites with established macadamia trees were monitored for 5 years following the surface application of various rates of lime (0-1200 g/m2). The effects of annual applications of N and N plus lime were also studied at one site. Both sites received >I700 mm annual rainfall and had strongly acidic, sandy soils. A residual effect of increased pH in the surface soil (0-5 cm depth) was evident after 5 years for lime rates 2200 g/m2. Differences in the nature of the residual effect at each site are discussed in relation to soil acidification, lime dissolution and leaching. High lime rates (>300 g/m2) applied to the soil surface increased pH and reduced extractable A1 in the 10-20 cm depth interval after 12 months. Three years after application, the soil pH at depths of 20-30 and 30-50 cm had been significantly (P < 0.05) increased by surface applications of 600 and 1200 g lime/m2, respectively. The results of this study show that surface application of lime at economic rates (300 to 600 g/m2) can reduce subsoil acidity in coarse-textured soils in high rainfall areas.

", "keywords": ["reclamation", "of lands (Melioration)", "Improvement", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Soil chemistry", "irrigation etc.", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Soil conservation and protection", "6. Clean water", "fertilisation"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Aitken, R.L., Stephenson, R.A., Moody, P.W., Gallagher, E.C.,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1071/ar9960109"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Australian%20Journal%20of%20Agricultural%20Research", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1071/ar9960109", "name": "item", "description": "10.1071/ar9960109", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1071/ar9960109"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "1996-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1080/08903060050136432", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:18:48Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2002-07-26", "title": "Alley Cropping Of Maize And Gliricidia Sepium In The Sudanese Sahel Region: Some Technical Feasibility Aspects", "description": "An association in an alley cropping experiment of a short-term maize variety and a tree legume (#Gliricidia sepium#) adapted to the Sudanese Sahel region was studied from the point of view of the nitrogen balance and plot yields. Isotopic labelling applied in the field enabled the contribution to maize nitrogen nutrition from different nitrogen sources (fertilizer, prunings, and soil) to be quantified. For equal cultivated areas, alley cropping provides a maize yield greater than that of maize grown in pure stand without nitrogen fertilizer. However this yield is only 40% of that obtained in pure stands with fertilizer nitrogen. Alley cropping gives a very favourable Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 0.90 and 1.58 compared with N-fertilized and non-N-fertilized plots, respectively. These LERs demonstrate the increased biological efficiency of the cultivated soil in an agroforestry system. The percentage of the total nitrogen in the maize coming from prunings (Nfdp) varies between 30 and 35% and the true coefficient of nitrogen utilization of the prunings (TCUp) varies from 15-25%. In the environment of central Senegal, the percentage of total nitrogen of #G. sepium# coming from N2 fixation is quite low (Ndffix = 25%), and consequently, in the maize, the nitrogen coming from N2 fixation (Ndffix) is only 8%. It is therefore necessary to improve the efficiency of nitrogen fixation of #G. sepium# in this zone to assure the sustainability of the agroforestry system. (Resume d'auteur)", "keywords": ["Fixation de l'azote", "engrais organique", "Nitrogen", "F08 - Syst\u00e8mes et modes de culture", "rendement des cultures", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5192", "Soil fertility", "Zea mays", "Gliricidia sepium", "fertilisation", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16379", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10176", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4592", "Nitrogen fixation", "F01 - Culture des plantes", "Agroforestry", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6970", "Ecosystem", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10795", "azote", "agroforesterie", "2. Zero hunger", "technique des traceurs", "engrais azot\u00e9", "nutrition des plantes", "Agriculture", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_207", "Utilization", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8504", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7835", "Fertilization", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3910", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "culture intercalaire", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5195", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5196", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3278", "F04 - Fertilisation"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Ndiaye, Mamadou, Ganry, Francis, Oliver, Robert,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1080/08903060050136432"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Arid%20Soil%20Research%20and%20Rehabilitation", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1080/08903060050136432", "name": "item", "description": "10.1080/08903060050136432", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1080/08903060050136432"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2000-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/ejss.13422", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:19:18Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-09-30", "title": "Stocktake study of current fertilisation recommendations across Europe and discussion towards a more harmonised approach", "description": "Abstract

The European Commission has set targets for a reduction in nutrient losses by at least 50% and a reduction in fertiliser use by at least 20% by 2030 while ensuring no deterioration in soil fertility. Within the mandate of the European Joint Programme EJP Soil \uffe2\uff80\uff98Towards climate\uffe2\uff80\uff90smart sustainable management of agricultural soils\uffe2\uff80\uff99, the objective of this study was to assess current fertilisation practices across Europe and discuss the potential for harmonisation of fertilisation methodologies as a strategy to reduce nutrient loss and overall fertiliser use. A stocktake study of current methods of delivering fertilisation advice took place across 23 European countries. The stocktake was in the form of a questionnaire, comprising 46 questions. Information was gathered on a large range of factors, including soil analysis methods, along with soil, crop and climatic factors taken into consideration within fertilisation calculations. The questionnaire was completed by experts, who are involved in compiling fertilisation recommendations within their country. Substantial differences exist in the content, format and delivery of fertilisation guidelines across Europe. The barriers, constraints and potential benefits of a harmonised approach to fertilisation across Europe are discussed. The general consensus from all participating countries was that harmonisation of fertilisation guidelines should be increased, but it was unclear in what format this could be achieved. Shared learning in the delivery and format of fertilisation guidelines and mechanisms to adhere to environmental legislation were viewed as being beneficial. However, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to harmonise all soil test data and fertilisation methodologies at EU level due to diverse soil types and agro\uffe2\uff80\uff90ecosystem influences. Nevertheless, increased future collaboration, especially between neighbouring countries within the same environmental zone, was seen as potentially very beneficial. This study is unique in providing current detail on fertilisation practices across European countries in a side\uffe2\uff80\uff90by\uffe2\uff80\uff90side comparison. The gathered data can provide a baseline for the development of scientifically based EU policy targets for nutrient loss and soil fertility evaluation.There is an urgent need to ensure that food production is maintained in response to either a reduction in use or lack of availability of natural resources. To this end, several strategies have been investigated to determine which agronomic approaches may improve crop yields under conditions of reduced water and/or nutrients provision, with special attention upon nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). New technologies and practices have been developed for key commercial crops, such as tomatoes. However, few of these are widely adopted in the field and evidence of their value in this production setting is limited.

Methods

This protocol sets out a systematic map methodology that aims to provide a coherent synthesis of the available evidence among the literature on the techniques and management approaches that may ensure the productivity of field-grown tomatoes under conditions of water-, N- and/or P-deficits, either as single or combined stresses. To conduct the literature search, a search strategy was produced to define the scope of the systematic map and to allow reproducibility of the approach. A list of published and unpublished sources of literature were selected and a preliminary trial identified best-fit-for-purpose search-terms and -strings. A literature screening process was set with consistency checks amongst reviewers at the title, abstract and full text screening stages. A series of eligibility criteria were defined to ensure objectivity and consistency in the selection of studies that are best suited to address the research question of the systematic map. In addition, a coding strategy was designed to set the means for meta-data extraction out from the literature for review. A drafted structured questionnaire will serve as the base for collating the meta-data to produce a database where variables will be queried for the evidence synthesis. This work is expected to inform stakeholders, researchers and policy makers regarding the extent and nature of the existing evidence base, and so serve as a basis by-which specific approaches may be highlighted as potential focal-areas in future.

", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Resource use-efficiency", "Drought resistance", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "Abiotic stres", "15. Life on land", "Abiotic stress", "01 natural sciences", "Combined stress-tolerance", "Fertilisation", "Environmental sciences", "Climate change resilience", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "GE1-350"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13750-019-0172-4.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-019-0172-4"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Environmental%20Evidence", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1186/s13750-019-0172-4", "name": "item", "description": "10.1186/s13750-019-0172-4", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1186/s13750-019-0172-4"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-07-12T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00363.x", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:19:41Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2010-08-05", "title": "Effect Of A Legume Cover Crop (Mucuna Pruriens Var. Utilis) On Soil Carbon In An Ultisol Under Maize Cultivation In Southern Benin", "description": "

Abstract. Long term fallow is no longer possible in densely populated tropical areas, but legume cover crops can help maintain soil fertility. Our work aimed to study changes in soil carbon in a sandy loam Ultisol in Benin, which involved a 12\uffe2\uff80\uff90year experiment on three maize cropping systems under manual tillage: traditional no\uffe2\uff80\uff90input cultivation (T), mineral fertilized cultivation (NPK), and association with Mucuna pruriens (M). The origin of soil carbon was also determined through the natural abundance of soil and biomass 13C. In T, NPK and M changes in soil carbon at 0\uffe2\uff80\uff9340 cm were \uffe2\uff88\uff920.2, +0.2 and +1.3 t C ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921 yr\uffe2\uff88\uff921, with residue carbon amounting to 3.5, 6.4 and 10.0 t C ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921 yr\uffe2\uff88\uff921, respectively. After 12 years of experimentation, carbon originating from maize in litter\uffe2\uff80\uff90plus\uffe2\uff80\uff90soil (0\uffe2\uff80\uff9340 cm) represented less than 4% of both total carbon and overall maize residue carbon. In contrast, carbon originating from mucuna in litter\uffe2\uff80\uff90plus\uffe2\uff80\uff90soil represented more than 50% of both total carbon and overall mucuna residue carbon in M, possibly due to accelerated mineralization of native soil carbon (priming effect) and slow mulch decomposition. Carbon originating from weeds in litter\uffe2\uff80\uff90plus\uffe2\uff80\uff90soil represented c. 10% of both total carbon and overall weed residue carbon in T and NPK. Thus mucuna mulch was very effective in promoting carbon sequestration in the soil studied.

", "keywords": ["Soil nutrients", "Carbon sequestration", "13C natural abundance", "[SDE] Environmental Sciences", "Soil management", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7170", "Npk", "SOL CULTIVE", "F08 - Syst\u00e8mes et modes de culture", "Soil fertility", "Zea mays", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_875", "630", "plante de couverture", "Legume cover crops", "Benin", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1301", "legume cover crop", "Mucuna pruriens", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4971", "ANALYSE STATISTIQUE", "580", "LEGUMINEUSE TROPICALE", "Acrisol", "2. Zero hunger", "Tropical zones", "mucuna", "BIOMASSE", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1936", "P35 - Fertilit\u00e9 du sol", "Green manure crops", "RESIDU VEGETAL", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_101", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Mucuna", "Soil carbon", "CARBONE ORGANIQUE", "soil organic carbon", "STOCK ORGANIQUE", "fertilit\u00e9 du sol", "MAIS", "http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8504", "Farm/Enterprise Scale", "[SDE]Environmental Sciences", "FERTILISATION DU SOL", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "carbone"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00363.x"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Soil%20Use%20and%20Management", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00363.x", "name": "item", "description": "10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00363.x", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00363.x"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2004-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0051818", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:20:14Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-12-20", "title": "Calcium Induces Long-Term Legacy Effects In A Subalpine Ecosystem", "description": "Human activities have transformed a significant proportion of the world's land surface, with profound effects on ecosystem processes. Soil applications of macronutrients such as nitrate, phosphorus, potassium or calcium are routinely used in the management of croplands, grasslands and forests to improve plant health or increase productivity. However, while the effects of continuous fertilization and liming on terrestrial ecosystems are well documented, remarkably little is known about the legacy effect of historical fertilization and liming events in terrestrial ecosystems and of the mechanisms involved. Here, we show that more than 70 years after the last application of lime on a subalpine grassland, all major soil and plant calcium pools were still significantly larger in limed than in unlimed plots, and that the resulting shift in the soil calcium/aluminium ratio continues to affect ecosystem services such as primary production. The difference in the calcium content of the vegetation and the topmost 10 cm of the soil in limed vs. unlimed plots amounts to approximately 19.5 g m(-2), equivalent to 16.3% of the amount that was added to the plots some 70 years ago. In contrast, plots that were treated with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer in the 1930s did not differ from unfertilized plots in any of the soil and vegetation characteristics measured. Our findings suggest that the long-term legacy effect of historical liming is due to long-term storage of added calcium in stable soil pools, rather than a general increase in nutrient availability. Our results demonstrate that single applications of calcium in its carbonated form can profoundly and persistently alter ecosystem processes and services in mountain ecosystems.", "keywords": ["EFFET SUR VEGETAL", "[SDE] Environmental Sciences", "0301 basic medicine", "Nitrogen", "Science", "580 Plants (Botany)", "CALCIUM", "Time", "Soil", "03 medical and health sciences", "ECOSYSTEME MONTAGNARD", "Humans", "Fertilizers", "Ecosystem", "Plant Physiological Phenomena", "2. Zero hunger", "0303 health sciences", "Q", "R", "Phosphorus", "Calcium Compounds", "15. Life on land", "6. Clean water", "FERTILISATION", "13. Climate action", "[SDE]Environmental Sciences", "Medicine", "Research Article"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://boris.unibe.ch/91277/1/journal.pone.0051818.PDF"}, {"href": "https://hal.science/hal-00778782/file/gr2012-pub00036992.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051818"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/PLoS%20ONE", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1371/journal.pone.0051818", "name": "item", "description": "10.1371/journal.pone.0051818", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1371/journal.pone.0051818"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-12-20T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3390/f7050108", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:21:53Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2016-05-24", "title": "Changes Of Chemical And Biological Properties Of Distinct Forest Floor Layers After Wood Ash Application In A Norway Spruce Stand", "description": "

The effect of wood ash (WA) fertilisation on chemical and biological properties of forest floor layers was studied in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stand in the central part of Slovakia at an altitude of 1300 m above sea level. In the forest floor, litter (OL), fragmented (OF), and humic (OH) horizons with average thickness of 1.5, 2, and 4 cm, respectively, could be distinguished. Three replicates of two wood ash treatments (3 and 6 t\uffc2\uffb7ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921) and a control were established in the autumn of 2012. Soil samples from OL, OF, OH and A-horizon were taken 0.5, 1, 6 and 12 months after the WA application. In soil samples chemical (pH, C and N content, C:N ratio, concentration of exchangeable Ca, Mg and K) and microbial properties (basal respiration, catalase activity, structure of microbial community based on BIOLOG assay) were determined. Our results showed that the changes in microbial and chemical properties do not occur simultaneously in particular horizons. WA application in autumn lead to a significant increase in pH, base cation concentration, and distinct losses in C and N content in the OL layer in the first month; however, at the beginning of the vegetation period, the most pronounced effect of WA was observed in OF and especially OH horizons; no changes were found in the A-horizon. Different properties of particular forest floor horizons led to a vertical stratification of the microbial community. Each forest floor horizon had particular properties, leading to a vertical stratification of the microbial community; deeper horizons had more homogenous functional groups.

", "keywords": ["13. Climate action", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "14. Life underwater", "15. Life on land", "surface organic layer; fertilisation; soil properties; soil microorganisms"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/7/5/108/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/f7050108"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Forests", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/f7050108", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/f7050108", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/f7050108"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-05-21T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.4067/s0718-95162012005000019", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:22:19Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-12-11", "description": "This study describes the effects of balanced versus nutrient-deficient fertilisation on soil nutrient content and selected oxidoreductase activity and kinetic parameters in a long-term (28 years) field experiment conducted using a phaeozem type soil in the Jilin Province of northeast China. As compared to no or unbalanced fertilisation, balanced fertilisation improved the overall chemical fertility of the soil and sig- nificantly increased the activities and Vmax values of soil dehydrogenase and cata- lase. Compared with control (CK), unbalanced fertilisation (with the exception of P deficiency) significantly increased the total carbon content and soil dehydrogenase activity but had less of an effect on the Vmax of the enzyme, whereas the soil cata- lase activity and its Vmax were less affected under unbalanced fertilisation condi- tions. The Km value of soil dehydrogenase increased with the application of chemi- cal NPK combined with farmyard manure but decreased under the application of NPK, NP, and PK. The Km value of soil catalase decreased under the application of NK and showed little difference between CK and the other fertilisation treatments. The variations in the activities and kinetic parameters of the enzymes revealed the benefits of long-term balanced fertilisation, particularly the combined application of chemical and organic fertilisers, by improving the chemical and biological fertility of phaeozem. The results also indicated that unbalanced fertilisation with P deficiency (NK) could enhance phaeozem quality, but this effect was limited.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "dehydrogenase", "Enzymatic kinetic parameters", "catalase", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "phaeozem", "6. Clean water", "fertilisation", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Shang, Z.C, Zhang, L.L, Wu, Z.J, Gong, P, Li, D.P, Zhu, P, Gao, H.J,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-95162012005000019"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20soil%20science%20and%20plant%20nutrition", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.4067/s0718-95162012005000019", "name": "item", "description": "10.4067/s0718-95162012005000019", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.4067/s0718-95162012005000019"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.5061/dryad.7d5g4", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:22:30Z", "type": "Dataset", "title": "Data from: Agricultural intensification and the functional capacity of soil microbes on smallholder African farms", "description": "unspecified1. Fertilization may impact ecosystem processes that sustain agriculture, such as nutrient cycling, by altering the composition of soil microbial communities that regulate such processes. These processes are crucial to low-input, smallholder tropical agriculture, which supports 900 million of the world's poorest people. Yet little is known about how efforts to increase crop yield on such farms will affect the capacity of soil microbial communities to carry out ecosystem processes. 2. We studied the diversity and functional capacity of microbial communities on smallholder farms in western Kenya. We measured functional capacity as the abundance of functional genes involved in several components of nutrient cycling as well as catabolism of multiple carbon substrates; taxonomic diversity was measured using metagenomic sequencing. Diversity and functional capacity were measured on short-term, experimental mineral fertilizer addition plots and on actively managed farms that have maintained for at least seven years a management strategy of low mineral fertilization, high mineral fertilization, or high fertilization combined with legume rotations. 3. Soil bacterial diversity decreased with mineral fertilizer addition, with a community shift towards taxa that thrive in high-resource conditions. This taxonomic response did not correspond with decreased microbial functional capacity. Instead, functional capacity was increased, along with yields, when fertilizers were combined with legume rotations that add organic matter to soil. 4. Policy implications. Mineral fertilizer use is associated with lower soil microbial diversity on smallholder farms, but not associated with changes in microbial functional capacity. Functional capacity is highest, along with yields, when mineral fertilizers are paired with legume rotations. Our findings suggest that this type of agroforestry can be an important strategy for maintaining the long-term functional capacity of soil microbes as well as increasing crop yields on smallholder farms. These observations support proposals to achieve long-term food production targets in sub-Saharan Africa by combining mineral fertilizers with organic inputs.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "microbial diversity", "GeoChip", "15. Life on land", "Smallholder agriculture", "African Green Revolution", "fertilisation"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Wood, Stephen A., Bradford, Mark A., Gilbert, Jack A., McGuire, Krista L., Palm, Cheryl A., Tully, Katherine L., Zhou, Jizhong, Naeem, Shahid,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7d5g4"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.5061/dryad.7d5g4", "name": "item", "description": "10.5061/dryad.7d5g4", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.5061/dryad.7d5g4"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-02-13T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10261/349203", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:25:59Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-09-30", "title": "Stocktake study of current fertilisation recommendations across Europe and discussion towards a more harmonised approach", "description": "Abstract

The European Commission has set targets for a reduction in nutrient losses by at least 50% and a reduction in fertiliser use by at least 20% by 2030 while ensuring no deterioration in soil fertility. Within the mandate of the European Joint Programme EJP Soil \uffe2\uff80\uff98Towards climate\uffe2\uff80\uff90smart sustainable management of agricultural soils\uffe2\uff80\uff99, the objective of this study was to assess current fertilisation practices across Europe and discuss the potential for harmonisation of fertilisation methodologies as a strategy to reduce nutrient loss and overall fertiliser use. A stocktake study of current methods of delivering fertilisation advice took place across 23 European countries. The stocktake was in the form of a questionnaire, comprising 46 questions. Information was gathered on a large range of factors, including soil analysis methods, along with soil, crop and climatic factors taken into consideration within fertilisation calculations. The questionnaire was completed by experts, who are involved in compiling fertilisation recommendations within their country. Substantial differences exist in the content, format and delivery of fertilisation guidelines across Europe. The barriers, constraints and potential benefits of a harmonised approach to fertilisation across Europe are discussed. The general consensus from all participating countries was that harmonisation of fertilisation guidelines should be increased, but it was unclear in what format this could be achieved. Shared learning in the delivery and format of fertilisation guidelines and mechanisms to adhere to environmental legislation were viewed as being beneficial. However, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to harmonise all soil test data and fertilisation methodologies at EU level due to diverse soil types and agro\uffe2\uff80\uff90ecosystem influences. Nevertheless, increased future collaboration, especially between neighbouring countries within the same environmental zone, was seen as potentially very beneficial. This study is unique in providing current detail on fertilisation practices across European countries in a side\uffe2\uff80\uff90by\uffe2\uff80\uff90side comparison. The gathered data can provide a baseline for the development of scientifically based EU policy targets for nutrient loss and soil fertility evaluation.Soil degradation is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, where integrated soil fertility management has been promoted to restore productivity. A long-term experiment (1972\uffe2\uff80\uff931992) run in Benin consisted of two phases: a depletion phase (1972\uffe2\uff80\uff931980) with varying levels of mineral and organic fertilisation, and a regeneration phase (1981\uffe2\uff80\uff931992) where all plots received full fertilisation and organic matter additions. Soils were sampled at 0\uffe2\uff80\uff9320\uffc2\uffa0cm depth in 1973, 1974, 1982, and 1989 to assess fertility changes. Mineral fertilisation (N, P, K) and plant biomass management (crop residue retention and biomass additions) significantly influenced seed cotton and maize grain yields during the depletion phase. Soil organic carbon declined consistently in all treatments during depletion but remained stable during regeneration. The long-term effect was evident only in seed cotton yield during depletion. In contrast, due to high variability, maize grain yield showed no consistent trend. The combined use of organic resources and mineral fertilisers helped maintain crop productivity but led to declining soil chemical properties in this Ferralsol. The analysis of this outdated yet unpublished dataset shed light on how long-term soil depletion effects persist over time, even when soil fertility management is restored, indicating a sort of \uffe2\uff80\uff98soil memory\uffe2\uff80\uff99. The persistence of these effect suggests that regenerative interventions must begin before critical thresholds of degradation are crossed. Future research should focus on alternative measures to restore/maintain soil fertility not evaluated in this experiment, such as conservation tillage or legume integration, to provide long-term benefits for smallholder farmers facing soil fertility challenges.Diversified cropping systems, especially those including legumes, have been proposed to enhance food production with reduced inputs and environmental impacts. However, the impact of legume pre-crops on main crop yield and its drivers has never been systematically investigated in a global context. Here, we synthesize 11,768 yield observations from 462 field experiments comparing legume-based and non-legume cropping systems and show that legumes enhanced main crop yield by 20%. These yield advantages decline with increasing N fertilizer rates and crop diversity of the main cropping system. The yield benefits are consistent among main crops (e.g., rice, wheat, maize) and evident across pedo-climatic regions. Moreover, greater yield advantages (32% vs. 7%) are observed in low- vs. high-yielding environments, suggesting legumes increase crop production with low inputs (e.g., in Africa or organic agriculture). In conclusion, our study suggests that legume-based rotations offer a critical pathway for enhancing global crop production, especially when integrated into low-input and low-diversity agricultural systems.