Diversifying crop rotation increases food production, reduces net greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health

Global food production faces challenges in balancing increased yields with environmental sustainability. This six-year field experiment in the North China Plain diversified traditional wheat–maize (WM) rotations with cash crops (sweet potato) and legumes (peanut, soybean). Diversification increased equivalent yield by up to 38%, reduced N₂O emissions by 39%, and improved the greenhouse gas (GHG) balance by 88%. Legume-inclusive rotations stimulated soil microbial activities, increased soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks by 8%, and enhanced soil health scores by 45%. Large-scale adoption could increase cereal production by 32% (when WM follows alternative crops) and farmer income by 20%, while benefiting the environment. The study highlights crop diversification as a pathway to sustainable, resilient food production and improved soil health.

Xiaolin Yang, Jinran Xiong, Taisheng Du, Xiaotang Ju, Yantai Gan, Sien Li, Longlong Xia, Yanjun Shen, Steven Pacenka, Tammo S. Steenhuis, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Shaozhong Kang, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl