Corn rootworms (CRW) are among the most destructive pests in corn production across the Corn Belt, causing considerable damage through larval feeding on roots. While crop rotation and Bt technologies are widely adopted management strategies, their effectiveness is increasingly compromised by the pest's evolution of resistance and behavioral adaptability. Chemical insecticides applied at planting to target larvae directly serve as an additional tool for corn rootworm control. In this study, we evaluated the performance of various insecticides, applied in-furrow, for managing corn rootworms by assessing Node Injury Scale (NIS), lodging rates, and grain yields from 2020 to 2024. We found that Mode of Action (MOA) 3A insecticides (sodium channel modulators), such as Force Evo (tefluthrin) and Capture LFR (bifenthrin), did not provide substantial efficacy in reducing NIS and lodging rates. In contrast, MOA 1B+3A insecticides (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors + sodium channel modulators), such as INDEX (chlorethoxyfos + bifenthrin) and AZTEC HC (tebupirimphos + cyfluthrin), significantly reduced CRW larval damage, particularly under high pest pressure in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Differences in insecticide concentrations did not significantly impact larval control efficacy. Additionally, seasonal rainfall during larval hatching and variation in cumulative corn growing degree days (GDD) strongly influenced the root injury and lodging outcomes. Lower GDD likely limits root regeneration, increasing lodging risk under CRW pressure. These findings demonstrate the values of in-furrow insecticides in managing corn rootworms, particularly under high pest pressure and provide valuable insights for developing integrated pest management strategies to sustain effective CRW larval control and improve crop productivity.

Salt stress has become a major limiting factor of rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield worldwide. Appropriate nitrogen application contributes to improvement in the salt tolerance of rice. Here, we show that improvement in nitrogen-use efficiency increases salt stress tolerance in rice. Rice varieties with different nitrogen-use efficiencies were subjected to salt stress; they were stimulated with 50, 100, and 150 mmol/L of NaCl solution at the seedling stage and subjected to salinities of 0.2, 0.4%, and 0.6% at the reproductive growth stage. Compared with nitrogen-inefficient rice varieties, the nitrogen-efficient rice varieties showed significant increases in the expression levels of nitrogen-use-efficiency-related genes (TOND1 and OsNPF6.1), nitrogen content (5.1-12.1%), and nitrogen-use enzyme activities (11.7-36.4%) when under salt stress conditions. The nitrogen-efficient rice varieties showed a better adaptation to salt stress, as shown by the decrease in leaf-withering rate (4.7-10.3%), the higher chlorophyll (3.8-9.7%) and water contents (1.1-9.2%), and the better root status (7.3-9.1%) found in the rice seedlings under salt stress conditions. Analysis of physiological indexes revealed that the nitrogen-efficient rice varieties accumulated higher osmotic adjustment substances (9.7-79.9%), lower ROS (23.1-190.8%) and Na+ (15.9-97.5%) contents, higher expression levels of salt stress-related genes in rice seedlings under salt stress conditions. Furthermore, the nitrogen-efficient rice varieties showed higher yield under salt stress, as shown by a lower salt-induced decrease in 1000-grain weight (2.1-6.2%), harvest index (1.4-4.9%), and grain yield (2.8-4.1%) at the reproductive growth stage in salinized soil. Conversely, the nitrogen-efficient rice varieties showed better growth and physiological metabolism statuses under severe salt stress conditions. Our results suggest that nitrogen-efficient rice varieties could improve nitrogen-use and transport efficiency; accordingly, their use can improve the gene expression network, alleviating salt damage and improving grain yield under severe salt stress conditions.

Current agricultural practices prioritize intensive food production, often at the expense of environmental sustainability. This approach results in greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater pollution due to over-fertilization. In contrast, organic agriculture promotes a more efficient use of non-renewable energy, improves soil quality, and reduces ecological damage. However, the effects of mulching and organic (NUE) in China's Loess Plateau have not been sufficiently researched. In 2017 and 2018, an experiment utilizing a randomized complete block design with two factors (two mulching levels x three organic nitrogen application rates) was conducted. The water content of the upper soil layer was found to be 12.6% to 19.4% higher than that of the subsoil layer. Across all soil depths and years, the soil nitrate-N content in mulched treatments was 10% to 31.8% greater than in non-mulched treatments with varying organic nitrogen rates. Additionally, mulching resulted in an increase in grain yield of 9.4% in 2017 and 8.9% in 2018 compared to non-mulched treatments. A significant interaction was observed between mulching and organic nitrogen application rate concerning WUE, alongside a negative correlation between WUE and NUE. These findings suggest that the application of 270 kg N ha-1 of sheep manure in conjunction with mulching is a highly recommended practice for the Loess Plateau, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural strategies.

Maize and wheat are two important cereal crops for the food security of the world population. However, constant climate change and the intensification of anthropic activities have intensified the emergence of stressful environmental in the various agricultural production systems around the world. Therefore, in this study we evaluate the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, transpiration and grain yield of maize and wheat crops exposed to soil salinity, drought and high temperatures and determine the damage intensity of these stressing conditions and the theoretical multifactorial damage intensity. Field experiments were conducted during the 2022 and 2023 agricultural seasons in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico. The treatments consisted of the cultivation of maize and wheat in three stressful production environments (soil salinity, drought and high temperatures) and a non-stressful production environment (Control), with four repetitions. The tolerance and intensity index of abiotic stresses, as well as the intensity of theoretical multifactorial stress (salinity, drought and high temperatures), for morphological traits and grain yield, were calculated. The results reported that physiological traits and yield of maize and wheat are severely affected by drought stress conditions. High temperatures are the second abiotic stress factor that most limits physiological traits and grain yield of maize and wheat crops, being more harmful than soil salinity. The theoretical multifactorial stress has a greater negative impact on the yield of the elite maize and wheat varieties. The sum of a stressful environmental factor increases the intensity of multifactorial stress on grain yield of both cereal crops, especially for maize crop.

Context or problem: Most of the research evaluating rice varieties, a major global staple food, for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation has been conducted under continuous flooding. However, intermittent irrigation practices are expanding across the globe to address water shortages, which could alter emissions of methane (CH4) compared to nitrous oxide (N2O) for reducing overall global warming potential (GWP). To develop climate-smart rice production systems, it is critical to identify rice varieties that simultaneously reduce CH4 and N2O emissions while maintaining crop productivity under intermittent irrigation. Objective: This study assessed CH4 and N2O emissions, grain yield, and GWP of four rice varieties cultivated under intermittent irrigation in Colombia. Methods: Four common commercial rice varieties were evaluated over two seasons-wet and dry in 2020 and 2021-in two Colombian regions (Tolima and Casanare). Results: Wet-season crop productivity was similar among varieties. However, F68 in Tolima and F-Itagua in Casanare significantly reduced yields in the dry season, likely due to periods of crop water stress. Overall, CH4 emissions and GWP were relatively low due to frequent field drainage events, with GWP ranging from 349 to 4704 kg CO2 equivalents ha(-1). Accordingly, N2O emissions contributed 73% to GWP across locations, as wet-dry cycles can increase N2O emissions, creating a tradeoff for GWP when reducing CH4 through drainage. Varieties F67 in Tolima and F-Itagua in Casanare significantly reduced GWP by 32-61% across seasons, primarily by decreasing N2O rather than CH4 emissions. Conclusions: Rice varietal selection achieved significant GWP mitigation with limited impacts on grain yield, mainly due to reduced N2O emissions under non-continuously flooded irrigation. Implications/significance: This research underscores the critical role of rice varietal selection in addressing global climate-change and water-scarcity challenges, which drive the adoption of intermittent irrigation practices. By focusing on reducing N2O emissions through appropriate variety selection, this study provides valuable insights for rice systems worldwide that are adapting to these pressing environmental challenges.

Red rice ( Oryza glaberrima L.) is a main food ingredient with some special characteristics and health benefits; therefore, enhancing its grain yield is necessary. However, the limited fertile land causes cultivation in the sub-optimal land, such as saline soil. Saline stress can cause damage to plant cells; hence, it is vital to apply exogenous antioxidants that can act as osmoprotectants. The presented study sought to determine the physiological characteristics of red rice under salinity stress conditions with ascorbic acid applications. The study commenced in a factorial separate plot design (SPD) with three features. The salinity levels (3-4 and >4-5 mho/cm) comprised the main plots, red rice cultivars (Inpari 24, Inpari 7, Pamelen, and MSP17) in the subplots, with the ascorbic acid concentrations (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 ppm) kept in the sub-sub-plots. The results showed that the studied red rice cultivars differed in responses to ascorbic acid concentrations under saline soil conditions. Cultivar MSP17 was the most tolerant genotype to salinity stress compared with the three other red rice cultivars based on physiological attributes. Applying ascorbic acid improved red rice genotypes' physiological characteristics (especially chlorophyll content and nutrient uptake) under saline stress conditions.

Optimizing canopy spacing configuration can enhance resources utilization, supporting robust growth and dry matter production, while mitigating the risk of lodging and improving crop yield and quality. However, research specifically addressing optimal canopy spacing configurations for foxtail millet remains limited. Over a two-year period, a field experiment in the North China Plain assessed the impacts of four-row spacing configurations (T0: 40 + 40 cm; T1: 30 + 50 cm; T2: 20 + 60 cm; T3: 10 + 70 cm), to investigate the effects of row spacing configuration on lodging resistance, canopy spatial configuration, stem characteristics, yield, and water productivity (WP) of foxtail millet, aiming to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Row spacing configurations significantly influenced lodging resistance, yield, and WP. Under T1, improvements were observed in stem morphology and mechanical properties, particularly in the 2nd-6th basal internodes (I2-I6). The light interception rate in T1 at wide rows in the middle canopy (30-90 cm aboveground) increased by 97.89 %, compared to T0. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling revealed that improved light interception in wide rows in the middle canopy contributed to a rise in diameter and dry plumpness of I2. This, in turn, promoted greater breaking resistance of I2 and tensile resistance, ultimately reducing the lodging likelihood. Simultaneously, the decrease in lodging resulted in higher yield and WP at yield level of foxtail millet. Therefore, T1 demonstrated the lowest lodging rate (67.34 %-91.92 % lower than T0), and the highest yield and WP at yield level (4.10 %-8.03 % and 20.79 %-22.46 % higher than T0). Optimizing canopy spacing configuration is essential for cultivating high-yielding and water-efficient foxtail millet populations. The results indicated that the 30 + 50 cm row spacing configuration improves light distribution in the middle canopy, enhancing lodging resistance and consequently increasing both yield and WP. This research offers a theoretical foundation for foxtail millet breeding and agronomic practices to achieve lower lodging rate, higher yields, and enhanced WP in the North China Plain.

Maize (Zea mays L.) production in north western Ethiopia is severely constrained by the parasitic weed striga (Striga hermontica), the stemborer (Busseola fusca) pest, and poor soil fertility due to continuous mono cropping. An intercropping system known as push-pull technology is a novel soil and pest management strategy for improving soil fertility and controlling agricultural pests by using repellent push plants (such as desmodium, Desmodium intortum) and trap pull plants (such as napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum). The aims of the study were (i) to evaluate the effectiveness of the push-pull technology against stemborer and striga infestation, (ii) to investigate the impact of the push-pull technology on improving grain yield, and (iii) to assess effect of the pushpull technology on soil fertility. The study was conducted in 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons in 3 districts in north western Ethiopia. Three farmers from each district, who practiced the technology, were randomly selected for the study. Each farmer had a set of two treatments (plots): a push-pull technology (PPT) and maize monocrop (MC) treatments. Data were collected on the percentage of maize plants damaged by stemborers, the number of striga plants that emerged, plant height, grain yield, available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM) and bulk density (BD). There were significant reduction in stemborer damage (2.8 %) and striga count (4.1 Striga plants/m2) in the push-pull treatment compared to the maize monocrop plots (15.4 % and 21.8 striga plants/m2, respectively). Maize plant height (2.34 m) and grain yield (5.3 t ha-1) were significantly higher in the push-pull plots as compared to the sole crop (1.9 m and 3.0 t ha-1, respectively). Similarly, there were significantly higher P (20.06 mg/kg soil), K (406.86 mg/kg soil), TN (2.5 g/kg soil), OC (42.9 g/kg soil), OM (73.8 g/kg soil) levels considered to be moderate to high fertility status in the push-pull as compared to monocrop plots (11.17 mg/kg soil, 347.93 mg/kg soil, 1.6 g/kg soil, 29.8 g/kg soil, and 51.2 g/kg soil, respectively) which is rated from low to moderate soil fertility level. Moreover, bulk density was significantly lower in PPT (0.92 g/cm3) than in MC (0.95 g/cm3) plots. This suggests that push pull technology is effective in reducing striga and stemborer damage and improves soil fertility status which results in better grain yield.

Addressing the negative impacts of lodging on crops is a global topic, but it is not clear whether and how straw and its derivatives positively affect the lodging resistance, yield, and quality of spring maize in rainfed areas. Therefore, a field experiment with three organic amendments, straw (at 9000 kg ha(-1)), cattle manure (at 7140 kg ha(-1)), and biogas residue (at 6554.52 kg ha(-1)), was set up in a typical rainfed area with film mulching. The results showed that straw and its derivatives significantly improved the mechanical properties of the third internode by improving the cellulose and lignin contents and their related synthase activities, which resulted in a significant increase in the stalk lodging-resistant index by 3.65 similar to 7.23% (P < 0.05); contributed to a deeper and longer root system that significantly improved root pulling force by 1.41 similar to 4.75%, further enhancing the positive correlation between root in the secondary zone and root lodging resistance; and improved the 1000- kernel weight, content of crude fat and crude protein by constructing a lush above-ground population, which significantly increased the grain yield by 5.95 similar to 13.22%. Among them, the performance of biogas residue fermented by both anaerobic and composting was better than that of other treatments, which provided an informative organic solution for synchronizing the spring maize lodging resistance and yield increase.

With the development of the economy, the contradiction between population, resources, and the environment has become more and more prominent. How to make full use of limited cultivated land resources to increase food production while reducing damage to the environment is an important issue facing agricultural production. Maize plays an essential role in ensuring global food security. Furthermore, planting density is a key agronomic factor affecting maize yield. Although soil organic matter (SOM) is an important indicator of soil fertility. Whether there are different agronomic optimal planting densities of maize under varying SOM contents remains unknown. Furthermore, there is limited understanding on whether optimizing maize planting density based on SOM further improves grain yield and resource use efficiency. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of SOM and planting density on maize grain yield. We also determine the relationship between SOM and agronomic optimal planting density (AOPD) and compare the grain yield, economic benefits, and resource use efficiency of sowing under uniform conventional planting density (SUD) versus optimized planting density based on SOM (SOD). The results showed that AOPD and its corresponding yield increased linearly with the increase in SOM. Compared with SUD, the yield of the two experimental sites under SOD increased by 2.3 % and 5.5 %, respectively, and the economic benefits increased by 0.5 % and 4.9 %, respectively. The average energy use efficiency, energy mass productivity, and energy economic productivity of the two experimental sites under SOD were all higher than those of SUD. These results demonstrate that it is theoretically feasible to optimize maize planting density based on the spatial heterogeneity of SOM. SOD is a potentially sustainable maize production method that can fully utilize the resources of cultivated land to increase grain yield and economic benefits.