Global Arable Land Research Articles

Nitrogen Fertilization Alleviates Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Waterlogging

Waterlogging increasingly challenges crop production, affecting 10% of global arable land, necessitating the development of pragmatic strategies for mitigating the downside risk of yield penalty. Here, we conducted experiments under controlled (tank) and field conditions to evaluate the efficacy of nitrogenous fertiliser in alleviating waterlogging stress. Without intervention, we found that waterlogging reduced grain yields, spike numbers and shoot biomass, but had a de minimus impact on grain number per spike and increased grain weight. Soil fertiliser mitigated waterlogging damage, enhancing yields via increased spike numbers, with crop recovery post-waterlogging catalysed via improved tiller numbers, plant height and canopy greenness. Foliar nitrogen spray has little impact on crop recovery, possibly due to stomatal closure, while modest urea application during and after waterlogging yielded similar results to greater N application at the end of waterlogging. Waterlogging-tolerant genotypes (P-17 and P-52) showed superior growth and recovery during and after waterlogging compared to the waterlogging-sensitive genotypes (Planet and P-79). A comparison of fertiliser timing revealed that field fertilizer treatment two (F2: 90 kg·ha−1 at 28 DWL, 45 kg·ha−1 at sowing and 45 kg·ha−1 at 30 DR) yielded the highest and fertilizer treatment three (F3: 45 kg·ha−1 at sowing and 45 kg·ha−1 at 30 DR) recovered the lowest yield and spike number, while fertilizer treatment one (F1: 45 kg·ha−1 at 28 DWL, 45 kg·ha−1 at 0 DR, 45 kg·ha−1 at sowing and 45 kg·ha−1 at 30 DR) and four (F4: 90 kg·ha−1 at 0 DR, 45 kg·ha−1 at sowing and 45 kg·ha−1 at 30 DR) had the highest shoot biomass in the field. Treatment five (T5: 180 kg·ha−1 at 0 DR, 30 kg·ha−1 at sowing and 90 kg·ha−1 at 30 DR) presented the most favourable results in the tank. Our results provide rigorous evidence that long periods of waterlogging caused significant yield penalty, mainly due to decreased spike numbers. We contend that increasing fertiliser rates during waterlogging up to 90 kg·ha−1 can provoke crop growth and mitigate waterlogging-induced grain yield losses, and is more beneficial than applying nitrogen post-waterlogging.

Edible dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) as human food – A comprehensive review

Abstract The rapid growth of the human population leads to a big concern about the food y and demand worldwide. However, due to the reduction in global arable land area, humans need to find alternative food sources to fulfil their needs. Consequently, edible insects have been identified as a promising solution to ameliorate food security and increase global nutrition. Among more than 2,100 identified edible insect species, dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) are considered as one of nutritious food resources. Nevertheless, detailed information on the frequency and distribution of consumption of odonatans around the world is scattered and poorly documented. Based on this review, at least 61 out of 1,964 species of odonatans were reported consumed by people worldwide. The most consumed dragonflies (suborder Epiprocta; infraorder Anisoptera) are from the family of Libellulidae, followed by Aeshnidae and Gomphidae, whereas the most consumed edible damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) are from the Coenagrionidae family. Many nutrients, including proteins, lipids, energy, fibre, vitamins, and minerals are abundant in edible odonatans. Moreover, studies reported that humans employed these insects as therapeutic agents to remedy various ailments. Challenges associated with the consumption of edible odonatans include safety concerns, legal frameworks, and limited information on their bioecology which become barrier for their successful mass-rearing. However, because entomophagy is gradually gaining recognition, new and more improved methods of rearing are now being developed including for edible odonatans, encouraging sustainable insect farming. As the world strives to achieve the sustainable development goals, insect farming will pave a way for resources to be utilised for sustainable economic development.

94 Sustainable Feeding Solutions Across the Animal Kingdom: Identifying and Implementing

Abstract To meet planetary limits, proactive sustainable solutions must be rapidly elevated across various sectors of the feed industry, with attention from production/selection of raw ingredients through diet manufacturing and formulation processes to precision nutrition programs targeting all animal species including livestock and poultry, pets, and managed wildlife. Responsible sourcing encompasses commitments for tracking environmental impact metrics of feeding systems, with various public calculation tools available. Sustainability data are starting to be incorporated into ingredient descriptions and formulation software for more widespread and standard use as marketing, economic and/or important conservation messaging. Ingredient strategies for sustainable food systems include regenerative agriculture practices, which are typically more holistic and address local needs, with resultant environmental benefits such as decreased water use or increased soil health, biodiversity, and resilience. Substitution of pulses (peas, beans) or other proteins for soybeans, multiple layers/species incorporated into cropping systems, low water use ingredients (i.e., hempseed or sorghum) can result in more intact ecosystems, better water balance, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increased carbon sequestration, with measurable impacts. Such options will become even more critical for global health with continuing climate change. Bio-circularity, which increases the use of residues, by- and co-products, or incorporates excess food streams to provide value-added sustainable feedstuffs serves to decrease GHG emissions from landfills/compost and can reduce the risk of commodity crop land conversion. Such ingredients, often niche or opportunistic, represent nearly 30% of global feed intake and may decrease food-feed competition as well as free up global arable land. Byproduct portions often contain quite suitable nutritional as well as sustainable feed ingredient profiles, and can be further enhanced through dehydration, fermentation, or upcycling as dietary substrates for insects, which are then incorporated into diets as alternative protein sources. Examples of common circular ingredients include processed and spent fermented grains, as well as bakery, fruit/vegetable, and retail excesses. Feeding Innovations that improve the carbon footprint through increased efficiency, productivity and/or health can reduce pressure on production (both animal and feed manufacturing) landscapes. Enzymes, pro- and pre-biotics, and additives fit under this broad category, as do the use of single cell proteins and fermentation products. While specific ingredients may directly or indirectly reduce GHG emissions (seaweeds, tannins, fats) through impacts on the rumen or hindgut microbiota, innovations are not limited to diets per se but rather encompass technologies, tools and entire feeding systems. The use of harvested natural plant sources (e.g., Miscanthus spp. grass, wood sawdust, local browses) as low-starch fiber ingredients in addition to (or in lieu of) cultivated forages represents sustainable value-add products, contributing to improved animal health with a focus on local producers/communities; environmental impacts should be monitored. Similarly, harvest and processing of edible invasive species for consumption as part of sustainable management/eradication programs must be considered. Logistically, policy barriers and scaling such efforts may prove the biggest challenges both regionally and globally; nonetheless, sustainability efforts are essential.

The Adaptation of Crops to the Environment under Climate Change: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies

As the world population is increasing continuously, there is a constant reduction in global arable land due to an increased demographic pressure [...]

Can food security and low carbon be achieved simultaneously? —An empirical analysis of the mechanisms influencing the carbon footprint of potato and corn cultivation in irrigation areas

Irrigated agriculture has tripled since 1950, accounting for 20% of the global arable land and 40% of food production. Irrigated agriculture increases food security yet has controversial implications for global climate change. Most previous studies have calculated carbon emissions and their composition in irrigated areas using the engineering approach to life-cycle assessment. By combining life cycle assessment (LCA)-based carbon emissions accounting with econometric models such as multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM), we conducted an interdisciplinary study to identify the influencing factors and internal mechanisms of the carbon footprint (CFP) of smallholder crop cultivation on irrigation reform pilot areas. To this end, we investigated corn and potato production data in the 2019–2020 crop years for 852 plots of 345 rural households in six villages (two irrigation agriculture pilot villages and four surrounding villages as controls) in Southwest China. The crop CFP in the irrigation agriculture pilot areas was significantly lower than in non-reform areas. Irrigation reforms mainly impacted the crop CFP through four intermediary effects: the project (implementation of field irrigation channels), technology (improving adoption of new irrigation technologies), management (proper irrigation operation and maintenance), and yield effects. All effects inhibited the CFP, except for the project effect that promotes carbon emissions. Among them, yield increase has the greatest impact on reducing CFP, followed by management and technology effects. Furthermore, planting practices, individual characteristics, and plot quality significantly impacted the crop CFP. This study has policy implications for understanding the food security–climate nexus in the food production industry.

Producing food sustainably

Producing food sustainably

Towards a Blockchain-Based Smart Farm Agricultural Revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa is considered one of the agricultural superpowers, with 60% of the global arable land. As a result of the increase in the population and the growing demand for agricultural products, the agri-food sector is resorting to the use of New Technologies of Information and Communication. With the fourth industrial revolution, it is now possible to integrate technologies such as the Blockchain and the Internet of Things into the activities of the agricultural sector. This study aims to show how the blockchain can improve the practice of intelligent agriculture in Africa. For these, two research questions will guide this reflection. The results obtained a state where Blockchain technology has begun to make its first appearances in some African states thanks to its advantages. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the blockchain is still facing various internal and external challenges in the African States, where the proposal for some slopes to make the blockchain a real asset for the African agri-food sector.

Global loss of climatically suitable areas for durum wheat growth in the future

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) is a minor cereal crop of key importance for making pasta, couscous, burghul, puddings, bread and many other traditional foods, due to its physical and chemical characteristics. The global demand for high-quality food made of durum wheat has been increasing, which poses a challenge in the face of climate change. Major share of durum wheat production is currently located in semi-arid climates, where the risk of climate extremes such as drought and heat stress will likely substantially increase in the future. To provide a first estimate of future global arable land climatically suitable for growing durum wheat, we develop a suitability model based on support vector machines. The current total share of global arable land climatically suitable to grow rainfed durum wheat is around 13%. Climate change may decrease the suitable area by 19% at mid-century and by 48% at the end of the century. Widespread loss of suitable areas is foreseen in the Mediterranean regions and northern America. On the other hand, climate may become suitable to grow durum wheat in many regions of central and western Europe, while the largest gain in suitability is estimated in some parts of Russia. The overall net loss of suitable areas requires the development and the future adoption of effective and sustainable strategies to stabilize production and adapt the entire food supply chain. Our study also clearly demonstrates the importance of limiting global warming to levels well below 2 °C at the end of the century, which would substantially limit the loss of climatically suitable areas.

A Parsimonious Approach to Estimate Soil Organic Carbon Applying Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Multispectral Imagery and the Topographic Position Index in a Heterogeneous Soil Landscape

Remote sensing plays an increasingly key role in the determination of soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in agriculturally managed topsoils at the regional and field scales. Contemporary Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) carrying low-cost and lightweight multispectral sensors provide high spatial resolution imagery (<10 cm). These capabilities allow integrate of UAS-derived soil data and maps into digitalized workflows for sustainable agriculture. However, the common situation of scarce soil data at field scale might be an obstacle for accurate digital soil mapping. In our case study we tested a fixed-wing UAS equipped with visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) sensors to estimate topsoil SOC distribution at two fields under the constraint of limited sampling points, which were selected by pedological knowledge. They represent all releva nt soil types along an erosion-deposition gradient; hence, the full feature space in terms of topsoils’ SOC status. We included the Topographic Position Index (TPI) as a co-variate for SOC prediction. Our study was performed in a soil landscape of hummocky ground moraines, which represent a significant of global arable land. Herein, small scale soil variability is mainly driven by tillage erosion which, in turn, is strongly dependent on topography. Relationships between SOC, TPI and spectral information were tested by Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) using: (i) single field data (local approach) and (ii) data from both fields (pooled approach). The highest prediction performance determined by a leave-one-out-cross-validation (LOOCV) was obtained for the models using the reflectance at 570 nm in conjunction with the TPI as explanatory variables for the local approach (coefficient of determination (R²) = 0.91; root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.11% and R² = 0.48; RMSE = 0.33, respectively). The local MLR models developed with both reflectance and TPI using values from all points showed high correlations and low prediction errors for SOC content (R² = 0.88, RMSE = 0.07%; R² = 0.79, RMSE = 0.06%, respectively). The comparison with an enlarged dataset consisting of all points from both fields (pooled approach) showed no improvement of the prediction accuracy but yielded decreased prediction errors. Lastly, the local MLR models were applied to the data of the respective other field to evaluate the cross-field prediction ability. The spatial SOC pattern generally remains unaffected on both fields; differences, however, occur concerning the predicted SOC level. Our results indicate a high potential of the combination of UAS-based remote sensing and environmental covariates, such as terrain attributes, for the prediction of topsoil SOC content at the field scale. The temporal flexibility of UAS offer the opportunity to optimize flight conditions including weather and soil surface status (plant cover or residuals, moisture and roughness) which, otherwise, might obscure the relationship between spectral data and SOC content. Pedologically targeted selection of soil samples for model development appears to be the key for an efficient and effective prediction even with a small dataset.

Achieving dietary micronutrient adequacy in a finite world

Achieving dietary micronutrient adequacy in a finite world

From South Asia to the world: embracing the challenge of global sustainable nitrogen management

From South Asia to the world: embracing the challenge of global sustainable nitrogen management

Green Food Development in China: Experiences and Challenges

China feeds approximately 22% of the global population with only 7% of the global arable land because of its surprising success in intensive agriculture. This outstanding achievement is partially overshadowed by agriculture-related large-scale environmental pollution across the nation. To ensure nutrition security and environmental sustainability, China proposed the Green Food Strategy in the 1990s and set up a specialized management agency, the China Green Food Development Center, with a monitoring network for policy and standard creation, brand authorization, and product inspection. Following these 140 environmental and operational standards, 15,984 green food companies provided 36,345 kinds of products in 2019. The cultivation area and annual domestic sales (CNY 465.7 billion) of green food accounted for 8.2% of the total farmland area and 9.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) from agriculture in China. Herein, we systemically reviewed the regulation, standards, and authorization system of green food and its current advances in China, and then outlined its environmental benefits, challenges, and probable strategies for future optimization and upscaling. The rapid development of the green food industry in China suggests an applicable triple-win strategy for protecting the environment, promoting agroeconomic development, and improving human nutrition and health in other developing countries or regions.

A SNP-Based Genome-Wide Association Study to Mine Genetic Loci Associated to Salinity Tolerance in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.).

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilzeck var. radiata) is a protein-rich short-duration legume that fits well as a rotation crop into major cereal production systems of East and South-East Asia. Salinity stress in arid areas affects mungbean, being more of a glycophyte than cereals. A significant portion of the global arable land is either salt or sodium affected. Thus, studies to understand and improve salt-stress tolerance are imminent. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to mine genomic loci underlying salt-stress tolerance during seed germination of mungbean. The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) mungbean minicore collection representing the diversity of mungbean germplasm was utilized as the study panel and variation for salt stress tolerance was found in this germplasm collection. The germplasm panel was classed into two agro-climatic groups and showed significant differences in their germination abilities under salt stress. A total of 5288 SNP markers obtained through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to mine alleles associated with salt stress tolerance. Associated SNPs were identified on chromosomes 7 and 9. The associated region at chromosome 7 (position 2,696,072 to 2,809,200 bp) contains the gene Vradi07g01630, which was annotated as the ammonium transport protein (AMT). The associated region in chromosome 9 (position 19,390,227 bp to 20,321,817 bp) contained the genes Vradi09g09510 and Vradi09g09600, annotated as OsGrx_S16-glutaredoxin subgroup II and dnaJ domain proteins respectively. These proteins were reported to have functions related to salt-stress tolerance.

Optimal allocation of direct and embodied arable land associated to urban economy: Understanding the options deriving from economic globalization

Land resources do not flow directly but can be allocated as “embodied land” in goods and services during economic globalization. The term “embodied arable land” can help link local land allocation strategies to the global and national supply chains and trade activities, and suggest new lens in optimizing arable land allocation. China is facing a serious arable land shortage, especially in municipal administrative areas. Based on the nested input-output analysis (Nested IOA), this work takes Shanghai as an example, exploring the allocation of direct and embodied arable land of an urban economy within the process of economic globalization. The amount of embodied arable land associated with Shanghai economy is 6.09 Mha, broken down into local arable land use (0.20 Mha), domestic inflows (3.20 Mha) and foreign inflows (2.69 Mha). This area supports local final demand (4.32 Mha), domestic outflows (1.24 Mha) and foreign outflows (0.53 Mha). Land-related imbalances emerge in the study, namely the economy’s demand versus the city’s size, the arable land demand versus supply, and embodied arable land inflows versus outflows. Regarding the role of the urban economy in allocation of global arable land under economic globalization, on the one hand, Shanghai has intensively involved with a large amount of embodied foreign arable land resources, and has been heavy dependent on foreign embodied arable land; On the other hand, there is still large potential for Shanghai to take the opportunity of economic globalization for an optimal allocation of direct and embodied arable land. Policy suggestions on taking the opportunity of economic globalization for an optimal allocation of direct and embodied arable land are put forward.

Measuring Agricultural Biodiversity for Sustainable Food Systems

Today, global food production is the largest driver of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss (Willett et al. 2019). Rising global food demand and limited arable land are pushing us to expand agricultural frontiers and production. This often happens without regard to the environment, causing biodiversity loss, land and water degradation (Bioversity International 2017) Climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss. Higher temperatures disrupt pollination and natural pest control, affecting food quality (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN 2017). Equally, the need to feed an additional 2 billion people by 2050 is pushing us to increase yields in a few staple foods, which erodes food and genetic diversity. Biodiversity loss in food systems leaves farmers with fewer options to deal with risks of crop failure, declining soil fertility, or increasingly variable weather (Bioversity International 2017), causing production losses, food insecurity and malnutrition(FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP WHO 2018). The way we produce and consume our food is hurting both people and the planet. This calls upon all of us, from governments to producers to consumers, to put biodiversity back into food (World Economic Forum (WEF) 2017). Food and - more broadly - agricultural biodiversity are essential for sustainable food systems. Agrobiodiversity boosts productivity and nutrition quality, increases soil and water quality, and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. It makes farmers’ livelihoods more resilient, reducing yield losses due to climate change and pest damage. Broadening the types of cultivated plants also benefits the environment, increasing the abundance of pollinators and beneficial soil organisms, and reducing the risk of pest epidemics. To sustainably use and conserve agrobiodiversity, governments need dedicated, multi-sectoral and evidence-based policies and strategies. From smallholder farmers to multinational companies, food producers are becoming increasingly important in conserving genetic resources and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Consumers need to become more aware of the impact of their food choices on the planet and their role in preserving the environment. What actions do we need to put in place to make change happen? To answer, we need to be able to measure biodiversity in food systems. While decades of effort have advanced our understanding of sustainable food systems, biodiversity data remain uneven and oftentimes information is analyzed from sectoral perspectives (i.e.: production, consumption or conservation). To transform food systems, we need to look at the broader picture and understand the systemic linkages between biodiversity, food security and nutrition, agricultural production, and the environment. Bioversity International has developed the Agrobiodiversity Index, an innovative tool that brings together existing data on diets and markets, production and genetic resources, analyzing them under the lens of agricultural biodiversity (Bioversity International 2018). Through open access to agricultural biodiversity data for science and society, the tool crosses disciplinary boundaries and allows users to monitor biodiversity trends in food systems. In particular, it helps food systems actors to measure agrobiodiversity in a selected area or value chain, and understand to what extent their commitments and actions are contributing to its sustainable use and conservation. This user-friendly tool equips food systems actors with the data needed to make informed decisions. For example, it helps governments to formulate evidence-based agricultural, health and food policies and strategies to address today’s global challenges, by providing information on how biological and geographical diversity influence food systems sustainability. Through the Index, companies can understand how to diversify their supply chain and production to reduce risks, and what are the best agricultural practices for their agro-ecological zone. The tool can thereby support best practices dissemination, and track progress towards global goals related to agrobiodiversity, including Sustainable Development Goals 3, 12, 13, 15 and Aichi targets 7.

Land, water and carbon footprints of circular bioenergy production systems

Renewable energy sources can help combat climate change but knowing the land, water and carbon implications of different renewable energy production mixes becomes a key. This paper systematically applies land, water and carbon footprint accounting methods to calculate resource appropriation and CO2eq GHG emissions of two energy scenarios. The ‘100% scenario’ is meant as a thinking exercise and assumes a complete transition towards bioenergy, mostly as bioelectricity and some first-generation biofuel. The ‘SDS-bio scenario’ is inspired by IEA's sustainable development scenario and assumes a 9.8% share of bioenergy in the final mix, with a high share of first-generation biofuel. Energy inputs into production are calculated by differentiating inputs into fuel versus electricity and exclude fossil fuels used for non-energy purposes. Results suggest that both scenarios can lead to emission savings, but at a high cost of land and water resources. A 100% shift to bioenergy is not possible from water and land perspectives. The SDS-bio scenario, when using the most efficient feedstocks (sugar beet and sugarcane), would still require 11–14% of the global arable land and a water flow equivalent to 18–25% of the current water footprint of humanity. In comparative terms, using sugar or starchy crops to produce bioenergy results in smaller footprints than using oil-bearing crops. Regardless of the choice of crop, converting the biomass to combined heat and power results in smaller land, water and carbon footprints per unit of energy than when converting to electricity alone or liquid biofuel.

Defining a land boundary for sustainable livestock consumption.

The need for more sustainable production and consumption of animal source food (ASF) is central to the achievement of the sustainable development goals: within this context, wise use of land is a core challenge and concern. A key question in feeding the future world is: how much ASF should we eat? We demonstrate that livestock raised under the circular economy concept could provide a significant, nonnegligible part (9-23g/per capita) of our daily protein needs (~50-60g/per capita). This livestock then would not consume human-edible biomass, such as grains, but mainly convert leftovers from arable land and grass resources into valuable food, implying that production of livestock feed is largely decoupled from arable land. The availability of these biomass streams for livestock then determines the boundaries for livestock production and consumption. Under this concept, the competition for land for feed or food would be minimized and compared to no ASF, including some ASF in the human diet could free up about one quarter of global arable land. Our results also demonstrate that restricted growth in consumption of ASF in Africa and Asia would be feasible under these boundary conditions, while reductions in the rest of the world would be necessary to meet land use sustainability criteria. Managing this expansion and contraction of future consumption of ASF is essential for achieving sustainable nutrition security.

A spatially explicit representation of conservation agriculture for application in global change studies.

Conservation agriculture (CA) is widely promoted as a sustainable agricultural management strategy with the potential to alleviate some of the adverse effects of modern, industrial agriculture such as large‐scale soil erosion, nutrient leaching and overexploitation of water resources. Moreover, agricultural land managed under CA is proposed to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation through reduced emission of greenhouse gases, increased solar radiation reflection, and the sustainable use of soil and water resources. Due to the lack of official reporting schemes, the amount of agricultural land managed under CA systems is uncertain and spatially explicit information about the distribution of CA required for various modeling studies is missing. Here, we present an approach to downscale present‐day national‐level estimates of CA to a 5 arcminute regular grid, based on multicriteria analysis. We provide a best estimate of CA distribution and an uncertainty range in the form of a low and high estimate of CA distribution, reflecting the inconsistency in CA definitions. We also design two scenarios of the potential future development of CA combining present‐day data and an assessment of the potential for implementation using biophysical and socioeconomic factors. By our estimates, 122–215 Mha or 9%–15% of global arable land is currently managed under CA systems. The lower end of the range represents CA as an integrated system of permanent no‐tillage, crop residue management and crop rotations, while the high estimate includes a wider range of areas primarily devoted to temporary no‐tillage or reduced tillage operations. Our scenario analysis suggests a future potential of CA in the range of 533–1130 Mha (38%–81% of global arable land). Our estimates can be used in various ecosystem modeling applications and are expected to help identifying more realistic climate mitigation and adaptation potentials of agricultural practices.

Global arable land transfers embodied in Mainland China’s foreign trade

The process of globalization increases spatial separation of basic resources in terms of demand and supply across multiple countries/regions, thereby leading to the shift of environmental pressure mainly triggered by population expansion and economic growth via global supply chains. To comprehensively analyze Mainland China’s arable land use issues, the present work illustrates its arable land transfers embodied in foreign trade based on a multi-regional input-output analysis. In total, the trade volume of Mainland China’s arable land transfers is revealed in magnitude up to 70% of its direct arable land area. With a distinction between production- and consumption-based transfers, Mainland China exports 27.18Mha (million hectares) of embodied arable land to other economies, while it imports 48.35Mha of embodied arable land, making it a large force for agricultural industry development and arable land utilization in regions such as ASEAN, EU27, and Africa. The relations, pressures, and structures of embodied arable land related to Mainland China are clearly depicted from the global perspective. With detailed embodied arable land transfer profiles, it is practical to comprehensively analyze Mainland China’s arable land utilization via supply chains from the global perspective for essential policy implications in reasonably reshaping Mainland China’s economic structures and trade patterns.

Natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals shoot ionome, biomass, and gene expression changes as biomarkers for zinc deficiency tolerance.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for plants, with a crucial role as a cofactor for many enzymes. Approximately one-third of the global arable land area is Zn deficient, leading to reduced crop yield and quality. To improve crop tolerance to Zn deficiency, it is important to understand the mechanisms plants have adopted to tolerate suboptimal Zn supply. In this study, physiological and molecular aspects of traits related to Zn deficiency tolerance were examined in a panel of 19 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Accessions showed a larger variation for shoot biomass than for Zn concentration, indicating that they have different requirements for their minimal Zn concentration required for growth. Accessions with a higher tolerance to Zn deficiency showed an increased expression of the Zn deficiency-responsive genes ZIP4 and IRT3 in comparison with Zn deficiency-sensitive accessions. Changes in the shoot ionome, as a result of the Zn treatment of the plants, were used to build a multinomial logistic regression model able to distinguish plants regarding their Zn nutritional status. This set of biomarkers, reflecting the A. thaliana response to Zn deficiency and Zn deficiency tolerance, can be useful for future studies aiming to improve the performance and Zn status of crop plants grown under suboptimal Zn concentrations.