Cropping systems are one of the most important components in the crop production system, which is intensified to feed a growing global population. Previous studies focused on high yield with less attention to production of nutrients and vitamins for human diet. Since the Green Revolution, a winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system has dominated the North China Plain (NCP), with the increasing inputs of fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation for high grain production for food security, resulting in the sharp depletion of groundwater and a series of environment problems such as water pollution.
Click here for original story, A new design of sustainable cropping diversifications
Source: Phys.org