In the vast tapestry of global agriculture, wheat stands as a cornerstone crop, fundamental not only to feeding billions but also to shaping economic and environmental landscapes. China, the world’s largest wheat producer, commands a staggering annual output exceeding 136 million tons, a figure that underscores the country’s pivotal role in global food security. Nevertheless, in recent years, a paradox has emerged: despite its immense production capacity, China’s wheat imports have escalated, reaching nearly 10 million tons in 2022. This rising import trend, coupled with pressing environmental concerns stemming from excessive fertilizer use, signals an urgent imperative for innovation. Balancing productivity with sustainability has become paramount, driving scientists to explore transformative approaches that reconcile agricultural output with resource conservation and ecological responsibility.
At the forefront of this endeavor, a research team led by Professor Zhaohui Wang from Northwest A&F University’s College of Natural Resources and Environment has unveiled a comprehensive technical framework aimed at revolutionizing wheat cultivation in China. Published in the prestigious journal Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, this groundbreaking study introduces a multi-layered production model designed to transition wheat farming towards greener, more efficient paradigms. The research advances beyond conventional strategies, advocating for an integrated system that simultaneously addresses soil health, root zone dynamics, and canopy optimization, offering a holistic blueprint for sustainable wheat production in diverse agroecological contexts.
Central to this framework is a tripartite system that tackles the complex interactions between soil, roots, and canopy. The first pillar emphasizes soil system enhancement, focusing on enriching fertility and enhancing resilience against abiotic stresses. This is achieved through innovative agronomic practices such as targeted organic fertilizer applications combined with mineral supplements, alongside straw returning methods that bolster soil organic carbon storage and improve structural integrity. These interventions not only improve microbial activity and nutrient cycling but also contribute to carbon sequestration, embedding climate mitigation into the very fabric of agriculture.
Moving upwards from the soil, the root zone system takes center stage by refining nutrient and water dynamics at the plant-soil interface. Precision irrigation techniques coupled with advanced fertilizer delivery—such as deep placement and controlled-release formulations—ensure that the nutrient supply aligns meticulously with crop demand. This targeted resource distribution enhances nitrogen use efficiency significantly, reducing environmental leaching and gaseous emissions, which traditionally disrupt surrounding ecosystems and jeopardize water quality. The controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers modulate nutrient availability over the crop’s growth cycle, mitigating losses and harmonizing with plant physiology.
The canopy system represents the final and equally vital component, focusing on the aboveground crop architecture that intercepts and utilizes sunlight. By breeding wheat varieties tailored for enhanced light interception and manipulating planting densities, the system amplifies photosynthetic efficiency and biomass accumulation. These agronomic adjustments optimize energy capture, driving higher yields without the excessive input of fertilizers or water. Notably, canopy management influences microclimates, affecting disease dynamics and evapotranspiration rates, thereby intertwining productivity and environmental sustainability.
Empirical validations carried out under real-world field conditions highlight the considerable efficacy of these integrated technologies. The dual application of organic and mineral fertilizers elevated soil organic carbon sequestration efficiency by 26%, culminating in a yield increase surpassing 15%. Straw returning techniques further augmented soil carbon content by over 300 kilograms per hectare annually, linked to a 6.6% boost in production. These enhancements translate directly into improved soil vitality and functional robustness, laying a sustainable foundation for successive cultivation cycles.
Nutrient management innovations also delivered substantial benefits. Field trials revealed that deep fertilizer application combined with slow or controlled-release fertilizer technologies improved nitrogen use efficiency by a margin of 8.3% to 16.6%, while simultaneously cutting nitrogen loss through volatilization and leaching by 24% to 50%. These reductions are pivotal in mitigating the environmental footprint of wheat farming, addressing widespread concerns about groundwater contamination and greenhouse gas emissions associated with nitrogen fertilizers.
Water management strategies likewise demonstrated impressive potential. The adoption of drip irrigation systems outperformed traditional flood irrigation methods by conserving 41% more water, concurrently generating a 5% yield uplift. Beyond water savings, precisely timed irrigation interventions further increased wheat yield by an additional 7.1%, underscoring the importance of synchronizing water availability with critical phenological stages. This precision agriculture approach not only conserves a vital resource but also strengthens the resilience of wheat crops under variable climatic conditions.
Recognizing China’s wide-ranging agroecological diversity, the researchers tailored their framework into differentiated technological models customized for distinct ecological zones. In the arid landscapes of the Loess Plateau, the “Year-round Plastic Mulching” (YPM) technique epitomizes soil moisture conservation and nutrient retention. By applying full-period plastic mulching, this method raised soil water storage by 7% and crop yield by 11%, while simultaneously reducing nitrate leaching by an impressive 63%. Such measures safeguard fragile dryland ecosystems against nutrient loss and drought stress.
In contrast, the Guanzhong irrigation district benefits from the “Efficient Nutrient and Water Management” (ENWM) model, a sophisticated combination of soil nitrate monitoring and drip irrigation technology. This approach optimizes input use by reducing irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer consumption by 33% and 30%, respectively. Remarkably, these resource savings coincide with a 10% increase in yield and a 57% surge in nitrogen partial factor productivity, reflecting a pronounced stride towards sustainable intensification.
Promoting the widespread adoption of these innovations requires more than technical prowess; institutional and cooperative frameworks play a crucial role. To this end, the research team has pioneered a “Multi-subject Joint Innovation Technology” (MJIT) promotion model, fostering collaboration among universities, enterprises, agricultural extension services, and local stakeholders. Anchored by policy support, MJIT deploys a “Science and Technology Courtyard” service platform that bridges researchers and farmers with zero-distance interaction. This grassroots dissemination strategy has facilitated the application of green wheat production technologies over more than 100,000 hectares, generating tangible tri-fold benefits: increased yield, reduced fertilizer input, and water conservation.
Looking forward, the study advocates intensifying research efforts on region-specific technologies that cater to the nuanced demands of varied agricultural zones. The enhancement of market-driven promotion mechanisms is equally vital to sustain technological momentum. By converging scientific innovation, policy alignment, and stakeholder engagement, this framework not only charts a replicable pathway for China’s wheat industry’s green transformation but also provides a globally relevant case study for harmonizing food security imperatives with ecological stewardship.
In sum, this pioneering research epitomizes how integrated agronomic systems can forge resilient, productive, and environmentally conscious food production models. Amidst mounting pressures from climate change and resource scarcity, the blueprint laid forth by Professor Wang and colleagues offers hope and practical guidance. As the world grapples with feeding an expanding population within planetary boundaries, such breakthroughs illuminate the way towards sustainable agriculture that honors both human needs and Earth’s finite resources.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Innovation and application of technology models for wheat green production in China
News Publication Date: 16-Jul-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2025606
Image Credits: Gang HE, Wanyi XIE, Lei FAN, Xiaotian MI, Zhaohui WANG
Keywords: Agriculture
