Comprehensive analysis of resource utilization efficiency under different tillage systems in North China Plain

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2022-05, Vol.347, p.131289, Article 131289
• Main Authors: He, Cong, Wang, Yu-Qiao, Yu, Wei-Bao, Kou, Yi-Hong, Yves, Bohoussou N'dri, Zhao, Xin, Zhang, Hai-Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon footprint; No-till; North China Plain; Residue retention; Water use efficiency
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131289

Improving agro-resource utilization efficiency is essential for developing an environment-friendly agricultural system. The North China Plain (NCP), China's most important food-producing area, is facing severe resource constraints, such as low carbon and water efficiency. Although there have been many studies on single topic, little is known about the comprehensive assessment of carbon and water utilization in the NCP, as well as the economic benefits under different farmland management measures. We assessed the carbon footprint (CF), water use efficiency (WUE), economic benefits, and their cumulative effects in 2014–2015 during the wheat/maize season and throughout the year. Four tillage systems were investigated: no-till with/without residue retention (NTS/NT0) and conventional tillage with/without residue retention (CTS/CT0). The results indicated that residue retention (RR) reduced area-scaled, yield-scaled, and net income-scaled CF of the entire year by 101.56%, 106.88%, and 103.85%, respectively, compared to residue removal (R0; p