Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus

Summary: This study investigates the synergistic utilization of straw, water, and nitrogen resources in agricultural ecosystems to optimize sustainable management practices. Focusing on a tomato-corn-soybean agroecosystem, the research quantifies the interactions within the water-nitrogen-carbon nex...

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Main Authors: Mo Li, Pingan Zhang, Aizheng Yang, Xiaofang Wang, Yan Sha, Qiang Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:iScience
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500361X
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author Mo Li
Pingan Zhang
Aizheng Yang
Xiaofang Wang
Yan Sha
Qiang Fu
author_facet Mo Li
Pingan Zhang
Aizheng Yang
Xiaofang Wang
Yan Sha
Qiang Fu
author_sort Mo Li
collection DOAJ
description Summary: This study investigates the synergistic utilization of straw, water, and nitrogen resources in agricultural ecosystems to optimize sustainable management practices. Focusing on a tomato-corn-soybean agroecosystem, the research quantifies the interactions within the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus and evaluates various straw utilization strategies. Results show that, under optimized water (196-157-123 mm) and nitrogen (207-236-84 kg/ha) conditions, the water and carbon footprints decreased by 2.25–5.46% and 3.37–13.82%, respectively, compared to local practices. Economic benefits and overall quality improved by 8.27–21.06% and 4.06–7.63%, respectively. Prioritizing straw return to the field and straw biochar preparation scenarios enhanced system coordination by 1.41–9.62%. These findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers, providing strategies for sustainable agriculture that balance resource optimization, food security, and environmental protection.
format Article
id doaj-art-e630b00bee934ed4931b45800a64a020
institution DOAJ
issn 2589-0042
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series iScience
spelling doaj-art-e630b00bee934ed4931b45800a64a0202025-08-20T02:47:36ZengElsevieriScience2589-00422025-03-0128311210110.1016/j.isci.2025.112101Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexusMo Li0Pingan Zhang1Aizheng Yang2Xiaofang Wang3Yan Sha4Qiang Fu5School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Smart Water Network, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjaing 150030, China; National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technology and System, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Effective Utilization of Agricultural Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Corresponding authorSchool of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Smart Water Network, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjaing 150030, ChinaSchool of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Smart Water Network, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjaing 150030, ChinaSchool of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Smart Water Network, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjaing 150030, ChinaSchool of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Smart Water Network, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjaing 150030, ChinaSchool of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China; Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Smart Water Network, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjaing 150030, China; Corresponding authorSummary: This study investigates the synergistic utilization of straw, water, and nitrogen resources in agricultural ecosystems to optimize sustainable management practices. Focusing on a tomato-corn-soybean agroecosystem, the research quantifies the interactions within the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus and evaluates various straw utilization strategies. Results show that, under optimized water (196-157-123 mm) and nitrogen (207-236-84 kg/ha) conditions, the water and carbon footprints decreased by 2.25–5.46% and 3.37–13.82%, respectively, compared to local practices. Economic benefits and overall quality improved by 8.27–21.06% and 4.06–7.63%, respectively. Prioritizing straw return to the field and straw biochar preparation scenarios enhanced system coordination by 1.41–9.62%. These findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers, providing strategies for sustainable agriculture that balance resource optimization, food security, and environmental protection.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500361Xenvironmental sciencenatural resourcesbioresourcesagricultural scienceagricultural research and development
spellingShingle Mo Li
Pingan Zhang
Aizheng Yang
Xiaofang Wang
Yan Sha
Qiang Fu
Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus
iScience
environmental science
natural resources
bioresources
agricultural science
agricultural research and development
title Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus
title_full Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus
title_fullStr Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus
title_full_unstemmed Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus
title_short Achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water-nitrogen-carbon nexus
title_sort achieving sustainable goals in agroecosystems through the optimization of agricultural resources integrating the water nitrogen carbon nexus
topic environmental science
natural resources
bioresources
agricultural science
agricultural research and development
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500361X
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