Efficient Utilization and Sustainable Management of Agricultural Water and Soil Resources

The agricultural ecosystem is a complex system influenced by both natural and artificial factors, closely related to changes in environmental conditions and the level of field management. However, with the increase of human activities and the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization processes, the freshwater and land resources available for agriculture are also facing unprecedented challenges, and the impact of global warming and extreme weather caused by increased carbon emissions is increasing day by day. The agricultural ecosystem plays a crucial foundational role in ensuring the supply of food and raw materials on increasingly valuable land resources, and is also one of the main consumers of freshwater resources. At the same time, the system has the dual important attribute of serving as a carbon source and sink in the global terrestrial ecosystem, which is crucial for effectively controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, under the condition of continuously improving the efficiency of water and soil resource utilization and adapting to climate change, enhancing the sustainable management of agricultural ecosystems is crucial for balancing human development and ecological protection.

This research focuses on the key factors that affect the output of agricultural ecosystems, such as water, soil, fertilizer, and carbon. By analyzing their cycling paths and utilization patterns, we hope to discuss their coupling effects in crop production processes. Encourage the use of various scientific verification methods such as indoor inspections, field experiments, and model simulations to explore theories for improving the utilization efficiency of these factors in the context of resource scarcity and climate change. On this basis, optimize and propose efficient and high-yield agronomic management measures applicable to different crop varieties and planting areas, thereby providing theoretical support and scientific suggestions for the sustainable development of global agricultural ecosystems.

- Water cycle in farmland：analysis of the water cycle process and regulation mechanism of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.
- Efficient utilization of agricultural water and fertilizer: coupling effect of water and fertilizer in farmland and measures to reduce fertilizer efficiency and benefit increase.
- Theory and new technologies of irrigation: smart irrigation theory and technology based on new technologies such as internet of things, remote sensing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
- Conservation tillage management: a combination of agronomy and agricultural machinery that includes intercropping, reasonable and dense planting patterns, as well as conservation tillage systems such as reduced tillage and no tillage.
- Carbon processes and regulation in agricultural ecosystems: accounting for carbon emissions and absorption in farmland, and management measures for greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
- Climate change adaptation: experimental and simulation research on farmland management based on future climate change.

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• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
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• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Farmland ecosystem, SPAC, Water and fertilizer utilization efficiency, Carbon emission, Climate change, Crop model, Remote sensing, Smart agriculture

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.