Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions

Abstract Optimizing manure use and reducing chemical fertilizers are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, optimal manure redistribution for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and greenhouse gas benefit remains unclear at large spatial scales. Here, we employed genetic a...

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Main Authors: Yinghua Yin, Shufang Guo, Qiyu Xu, Jian Liu, Hongyuan Wang, Yanhua Zhuang, Zhen Wang, Lingling Hua, Hongbin Liu, Limei Zhai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61885-w
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author Yinghua Yin
Shufang Guo
Qiyu Xu
Jian Liu
Hongyuan Wang
Yanhua Zhuang
Zhen Wang
Lingling Hua
Hongbin Liu
Limei Zhai
author_facet Yinghua Yin
Shufang Guo
Qiyu Xu
Jian Liu
Hongyuan Wang
Yanhua Zhuang
Zhen Wang
Lingling Hua
Hongbin Liu
Limei Zhai
author_sort Yinghua Yin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Optimizing manure use and reducing chemical fertilizers are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, optimal manure redistribution for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and greenhouse gas benefit remains unclear at large spatial scales. Here, we employed genetic algorithms and meta-analysis to obtain an optimal substitution rate for major crops in China. This could reduce synthetic nitrogen use and reactive nitrogen pollution by 13.3 and 2.0 Tg, cut ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions by 15.6% and 16.2%, and lower nitrogen runoff and leaching by 32.9%. The yield of eight major upland crops could be increased by 2.0-19.5%. The strategy involves relocating about 255 million pig equivalents, with 32.3% moved across provinces, mainly from central to northern and northeastern China. An estimated US$6.1 billion investment in livestock relocation could yield US$25.9 billion in benefits.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-abedff8aff3449909df5132b2b9d52ae2025-08-20T03:42:57ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-61885-wCo-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutionsYinghua Yin0Shufang Guo1Qiyu Xu2Jian Liu3Hongyuan Wang4Yanhua Zhuang5Zhen Wang6Lingling Hua7Hongbin Liu8Limei Zhai9State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arable Land in China, Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesInstitute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural SciencesState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arable Land in China, Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Soil and Land Use, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arable Land in China, Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesInnovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesCollege of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural UniversityCollege of Bioscience and Resources Environment, Beijing University of AgricultureState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arable Land in China, Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arable Land in China, Key Laboratory of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesAbstract Optimizing manure use and reducing chemical fertilizers are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, optimal manure redistribution for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and greenhouse gas benefit remains unclear at large spatial scales. Here, we employed genetic algorithms and meta-analysis to obtain an optimal substitution rate for major crops in China. This could reduce synthetic nitrogen use and reactive nitrogen pollution by 13.3 and 2.0 Tg, cut ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions by 15.6% and 16.2%, and lower nitrogen runoff and leaching by 32.9%. The yield of eight major upland crops could be increased by 2.0-19.5%. The strategy involves relocating about 255 million pig equivalents, with 32.3% moved across provinces, mainly from central to northern and northeastern China. An estimated US$6.1 billion investment in livestock relocation could yield US$25.9 billion in benefits.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61885-w
spellingShingle Yinghua Yin
Shufang Guo
Qiyu Xu
Jian Liu
Hongyuan Wang
Yanhua Zhuang
Zhen Wang
Lingling Hua
Hongbin Liu
Limei Zhai
Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
Nature Communications
title Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
title_full Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
title_fullStr Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
title_full_unstemmed Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
title_short Co-benefits for cropland yield, nitrogen emissions, and climate impact through multi-objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
title_sort co benefits for cropland yield nitrogen emissions and climate impact through multi objective optimization agricultural manure solutions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61885-w
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