Major Cereal Crops Research Articles

Thinking Outside of the Cereal Box: Breeding Underutilized (Pseudo)Cereals for Improved Human Nutrition.

Cereal grains have historically played a critical role in sustaining the caloric needs of the human population. The major cereal crops, wheat, rice, and maize, are widely cultivated and have been subjected to biofortification to enhance the vitamin and mineral nutrient content of grains. In contrast, grains of several other cereals as well as non-grass pseudocereals are naturally rich in micronutrients, but have yet to be explored for broad-scale cultivation and consumption. This mini review focuses on the micronutrient and phytochemical profiles of a few emerging (pseudo)cereals and examines the current constraints of their integration into the global food system. Prospects of leveraging whole genome sequence information and modern breeding technologies to promote the breeding and accessibility of these crops are also discussed.

Screening of wheat (Ttiticum aestivum L.) cultivars for terminal heat stress tolerance by using biochemical pointer

Among abiotic factors, high temperature is severe constraint limiting crop production. Wheat is a major cereal and staple crop of Pakistan. An experiment was conducted (winter season 2018-19) to expose the effect of warmness induced biochemical alteration on morphological points of Pakistani wheat cultivars. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications was used to experiment. Heat stress treatments H0 = No heat imposition, H1 = heat imposition from (Feekes Scale = 10 to 10.5) booting to complete heading were randomized in main plots while varieties in subplots. Galaxy-2013, Gold-2016, Ghazi-2016, Aas-2011, Johar-2016, Pakistan-2013, F-8, Sahar-2006, Jauher-2016 and AARI-2011. Under heat stress, a smaller reduction in chlorophyll fillings and improvement in antioxidant activities were showed by Ghazi-2019, Aas-2011 and Jhor-2016. Among all other cultivars, higher chlorophyll deprivation and depletion in antioxidant activities under heat stress over control was observed. Reasonably lesser grain filling rate, higher duration, number of grains per spike and yield was detected for cultivars Ghazi-2019, Aas-2011, Jhor-2016 and F-8 under heat stress over control. Convincingly, based on biochemical response and morphological indicators genotypes Ghazi-2019, Aas-2011 and Jhor-2016 manifested heat tolerance. Genotype Fareed-2006 and F-8 manifested medium tolerance. Whereas, genotype AARI-2011, Galaxy-2013, Gold- 2016, Jhor-2016, Pakistain-2013, Sher-2006 and Ujala depicted susceptibility to terminal heat stress.

Screening of wheat (Ttiticum aestivum L.) cultivars for terminal heat stress tolerance by using biochemical pointer

Among abiotic factors, high temperature is severe constraint limiting crop production. Wheat is a major cereal and staple crop of Pakistan. An experiment was conducted (winter season 2018-19) to expose the effect of warmness induced biochemical alteration on morphological points of Pakistani wheat cultivars. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having three replications was used to experiment. Heat stress treatments H0 = No heat imposition, H1 = heat imposition from (Feekes Scale = 10 to 10.5) booting to complete heading were randomized in main plots while varieties in subplots. Galaxy-2013, Gold-2016, Ghazi-2016, Aas-2011, Johar-2016, Pakistan-2013, F-8, Sahar-2006, Jauher-2016 and AARI-2011. Under heat stress, a smaller reduction in chlorophyll fillings and improvement in antioxidant activities were showed by Ghazi-2019, Aas-2011 and Jhor-2016. Among all other cultivars, higher chlorophyll deprivation and depletion in antioxidant activities under heat stress over control was observed. Reasonably lesser grain filling rate, higher duration, number of grains per spike and yield was detected for cultivars Ghazi-2019, Aas-2011, Jhor-2016 and F-8 under heat stress over control. Convincingly, based on biochemical response and morphological indicators genotypes Ghazi-2019, Aas-2011 and Jhor-2016 manifested heat tolerance. Genotype Fareed-2006 and F-8 manifested medium tolerance. Whereas, genotype AARI-2011, Galaxy-2013, Gold- 2016, Jhor-2016, Pakistain-2013, Sher-2006 and Ujala depicted susceptibility to terminal heat stress.

Alternative splicing is a Sorghum bicolor defense response to fungal infection.

This study provides new insights that alternative splicing participates with transcriptional control in defense responses to Colletotrichum sublineola in sorghum In eukaryotic organisms, alternative splicing (AS) is an important post-transcriptional mechanism to generate multiple transcript isoforms from a single gene. Protein variants translated from splicing isoforms may have altered molecular characteristics in signal transduction and metabolic activities. However, which transcript isoforms will be translated into proteins and the biological functions of the resulting proteoforms are yet to be identified. Sorghum is one of the five major cereal crops, but its production is severely affected by fungal diseases. For example, sorghum anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineola greatly reduces grain yield and biomass production. In this study, next-generation sequencing technology was used to analyze C. sublineola-inoculated sorghum seedlings compared with mock-inoculated control. It was identified that AS regulation may be as important as traditional transcriptional control during defense responses to fungal infection. Moreover, several genes involved in flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathways were found to undergo multiple AS modifications. Further analysis demonstrated that non-conventional targets of both 5'- and 3'-splice sites were alternatively used in response to C. sublineola infection. Splicing factors were also affected at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. As the first transcriptome report on C. sublineola infected sorghum, our work also suggested that AS plays crucial functions in defense responses to fungal invasion.

Stay-Green Trait: A Prospective Approach for Yield Potential, and Drought and Heat Stress Adaptation in Globally Important Cereals.

The yield losses in cereal crops because of abiotic stress and the expected huge losses from climate change indicate our urgent need for useful traits to achieve food security. The stay-green (SG) is a secondary trait that enables crop plants to maintain their green leaves and photosynthesis capacity for a longer time after anthesis, especially under drought and heat stress conditions. Thus, SG plants have longer grain-filling period and subsequently higher yield than non-SG. SG trait was recognized as a superior characteristic for commercially bred cereal selection to overcome the current yield stagnation in alliance with yield adaptability and stability. Breeding for functional SG has contributed in improving crop yields, particularly when it is combined with other useful traits. Thus, elucidating the molecular and physiological mechanisms associated with SG trait is maybe the key to defeating the stagnation in productivity associated with adaptation to environmental stress. This review discusses the recent advances in SG as a crucial trait for genetic improvement of the five major cereal crops, sorghum, wheat, rice, maize, and barley with particular emphasis on the physiological consequences of SG trait. Finally, we provided perspectives on future directions for SG research that addresses present and future global challenges.

Blurring the boundaries between cereal crops and model plants.

The cereal crops rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays ssp.mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) provide half of the food eaten by humankind. However, understanding their biology has proved challenging due to their large size, long lifecycle and large genomes. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana avoids these practical problems and has provided fundamental understanding of plant biology, however not all of this knowledge is directly transferrable to cereals. Recent developments in gene editing, speed breeding and genome assembly techniques mean that the challenges associated with working with the major cereal crops can be overcome. Resources such as mutant collections and genome sequences are now available for these crops, making them attractive experimental systems with which to make discoveries that are directly applicable to increasing crop production.

Screening of local, improved and hybrid rice genotypes against leaf blast disease (Pyricularia oryzae) at Banke district, Nepal

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the major cereal crop of Nepal which is being faced by the devastating rice blast disease caused by Pyricularia oryzae Cavara. An experiment was conducted to screen rice genotypes against leaf blast disease under disease conducive upland nursery at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Khajura, Banke, Nepal during July to November, 2016. A total of 101 rice genotypes (comprising of local, improved and hybrid) including resistant and susceptible check were screened in a randomized complete block design with two replications. Disease scoring was done beginning from the 20th days of sowing by using the disease rating scale 0-9. Amongst the tested 101 rice genotypes, 28 genotypes were found resistant, 15 genotypes were moderately resistant, 16 genotypes were moderately susceptible, 39 genotypes were susceptible and 3 genotypes were highly susceptible to leaf blast. The information revealed from this study could be helpful for rice leaf blast disease management and utilizing these resistant and moderately resistant genotypes for further resistance breeding program.

Trend and Pattern of Cereal Crops: Production, Productivity and Area Coverage in Nepal

This study conducted to examine growth trends and pattern in area, production and productivity of major cereal crops over the six fiscal years. Time series data of cereal crops coverage of annual yield were used for the study. This study was based on descriptive nature and used secondary sources of information on production, productivity and area coverage of major cereals (Paddy, Maize, Wheat, Millet, Buckwheat and Barley) covering the six fiscal years (2011/12-20116/17) data. Trends of crop's productivity were analyzed using graphical methods. Ratio and percentage were used to measure productivity (yield) growth rate of the selected crops of study. The yielding trend of cereal production is not satisfactory in Nepalese economy. Pattern of agricultural production in Nepal is affected by multiple factors including rugged topography, monsoon, insignificant investment in infrastructure, and research and development. Production and productivity would be helpful to develop the future plans and take the appropriate decisions to uphold the situation for the sustainability in food production.

Genome editing in grass plants.

Cereal crops including maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, barley, millet, oats and rye are the major calorie sources in our daily life and also important bioenergy sources of the world. The rapidly advancing and state-of-the-art genome-editing tools such as zinc finger nucleases, TAL effector nucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated systems (CRISPR-Cas9-, CRISPR-Cas12a- and CRISPR/Cas-derived base editors) have accelerated the functional genomics and have promising potential for precision breeding of grass crops. With the availability of annotated genomes of the major cereal crops, application of these established genome-editing toolkits to grass plants holds promise to increase the nutritional value and productivity. Furthermore, these easy-to-use and robust genome-editing toolkits have advanced the reverse genetics for discovery of novel gene functions in crop plants. In this review, we document some of important progress in development and utilization of genome-editing tool sets in grass plants. We also highlight present and future uses of genome-editing toolkits that can sustain and improve the quality of cereal grain for food consumption.

Impact of Climate Change on the Production of Major Food and Commercial Crops in India: A Five Decadal Study

Climate change is posing a great threat to agriculture and food security, especially in the agriculture oriented and developing countries like India. The present study was carried out to critically study the impact of climate change on productivity of major cereal and commercial crops by statistically analyzing the time series data. The analysis inferred that crop production of both food and commercial crops in India has increased since 1960-61. It was observed that major food crops (rice & wheat) were adversely affected by increase in maximum temperature and decrease in rainfall. The alternative measures such as area under cultivation, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide consumption were observed to be nullifying that negative impact of climate change by enhancing the overall production. However, the commercial crops were observed to be positively affected by the increasing temperature. The study suggested that although the agriculture sector is able to withstand the adverse impact of climate change till now, but in near future this situation can become reversed. This necessitates the implementation of appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures to deal with the problems of climate change and to ensure the food security and food safety along in long run.

Assessment of ecosystem services of rice farms in eastern India

BackgroundRice is a major cereal crop and staple food of eastern India, and most farmers depend solely on rice for their livelihood. Rice farming provides both tangible and non-tangible benefits to ecosystems which need to be maintained and enhanced. These benefits are provided through ecosystem services (ES) that include both marketable and non-marketable.MethodsIn this study, the rice farms in eastern India were valued by quantifying the economic value of the services under conventional method of rice cultivation and the gap of ecosystem services value and farm income per unit area were assessed. A stratified random sampling technique was used in this study for selection of agro-climatic zones, districts, blocks, gram panchayat, and study units (households). Soil sampling was also performed for assessing the regulating services (biocontrol of pests, carbon flow, soil erosion, nitrogen fixation), provisioning services (food and by-products), and supporting services (soil fertility, hydrological flow, nutrient cycling, and soil formation).ResultsThe results indicated that the total economic value of ecosystem services ranged from US$ 1238 to 1688 ha−1 year−1. The marketed (primary production) and non-marketed ecosystem services values ranged from 66–89 to 11–34% of the total, respectively. Valuation of some of the ecosystem services such as cultural services, biodiversity, and gas regulation, which may play a significant role in total ecosystem services, has not been made due to non-availability of data and appropriate methodology for rice ecosystem. Different values of parameters can explain the variability in ecosystem services among the agro-climatic zones in eastern India. Clustering of locations based on variability of ecosystem services helps in identifying intervention points for sustaining and improving ecosystem services, while permitting sustainable agro-ecological intensification. The highest total economic gap between ES value and farm income was found in the north central plateau zone (US$ 1063 ha−1 year−1) and the lowest in the north western plateau zone (US$ 670 ha−1 year−1).ConclusionWe suggest various measures to reduce the economic gap, including payments for ecosystem services for rice farming for sustainability of the ecosystem and agricultural development, while ensuring reliable farm income.

World Sulfur Use Efficiency for Cereal Crops

Sulfur (S) is an essential plant nutrient needed for higher crop yields and improved nutritional value. In recent decades, the occurrence of S deficiency has increased and fertilizer S use may steadily increase. This may lead to inefficient crop utilization of S and result into negative footprints on the environment. The objective of this work was to estimate world fertilizer sulfur use efficiency (SUE) for major cereal crops grown around the world. A 10‐yr data set (2005–2014) was obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the US Geological Survey, and an array of other published research articles. Statistical analysis was performed using MS Excel to obtain total area for world and cereal crops, grain yield, and fertilizer S applied. The difference method [(Total grain S – grain S derived from the soil)/S applied] was used to compute world SUE. Cereal crops included in this study were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and oat (Avena sativa L.). Cereal production increased from 2669 M Mg in 2005 to 3346 M Mg in 2014. Sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops was estimated to be 18%. This low SUE may be attributable to S leaching from the soil profile, immobilization, retention in residues, and adsorption. As increased quantities of fertilizer S are likely to be applied in future to meet the ever‐growing demand for food, SUE could decline below 18%.Core Ideas World sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops is unknown. World sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops was estimated to be 18%. More precision agriculture research is necessary to improve sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops. Reasons for low sulfur use efficiency include sulfur; leaching, adsorption, retention in residues, and immobilization as well as failure to adhere to sound agronomic practices and 4R concepts.

Re-defining Sustainability: Living in Harmony with Life on Earth

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, urban air pollution, and contamination of oceans by plastic waste have dramatically increased awareness that human civilization faces an existential environmental crisis. Here, we argue that the way humankind views its place on planet Earth is the cause of this crisis and of the reluctance to take meaningful and urgent action. This view gives humans the right to exploit everything on Earth for their own benefit and a belief that sustainability can be delivered through exploiting nature in a smarter way and controlling it better. We propose that humankind rejects this view and instead learns to live in harmony with life on Earth by respecting the land, the oceans, and the atmosphere from which everything derives. We show how knowledge, creativity, and innovation can drive transformation in all sectors of society to enable this new relationship to develop, re-defining sustainability in terms of all life on Earth.

In vitro studies of 3-O-Methylquercetin against phytopathogenic fungi of major cereals

Maize, wheat, and rice are major cereal crops in the world, which provide more caloric energy than any other type of cereal class. In recent years, the yield of these cereal grains has stagnated due to a myriad of constraints, including infestation by pests and pathogens. Plant pathogens, especially agricultural phytopathogenic fungi, may be resistant to the available chemical fungicides which may have detrimental effects and are expensive. This study investigated whether natural products isolated from Linzia glabra Steetz of family Asteraceae could be used as alternative antifungals for control of cereal diseases caused by agricultural fungi. A single pure fraction was separated and identified from L. glabra methanolic flower crude extract using high performance liquid chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry methods. The pure fraction isolated was tested for inhibition of spore germination in vitro against Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium verticillioides, Zymoseptoria tritici, Ustilago maydis, and Pyricularia oryzae. The fraction was identified as a flavonol, 3-O-Methylquercetin using high resolution mass spectrometry. Among the fungi tested, spores of Z. tritici were the most susceptible to 3-O-Methylquercetin (44% spore inhibition), followed by F. oxysporum (33% inhibition) at 27 μg/mL. Azoxystrobin, a standard commercialized fungicide, gave a complete inhibition of 100% against Z. tritici and 58% inhibition against F. oxysporum at 5 μg/mL. L. glabra contains flavonols with antifungal activity, but the modest and weak antifungal activity of 3-O-Methylquercetin compared to a standard such as azoxystrobin demonstrates the challenge to produce highly potent natural product fungicides. There is need for continued search for antifungals with new modes of action as solutions to challenges in agricultural production.

OCCURRENCE OF TRUE SPIDERS ASSOCIATED WITH WHEAT PLANTS IN QALUOBIA AND BENI-SUIEF GOVERNORATES, EGYPT

Wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.), is a major cereal crop in Egypt. True spiders represent one of the most important natural predators against different arthropod pests in Egyptian fields. In this study , the common true spiders were surveyed in wheat fields, and counted weekly using two different methods (Plant-shaking method and Pit-fall trap) during the cultivated seasons 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The obtained results indicated that the collected spiders associated with wheat plants in the two tested localities (Qaluobia and Beni-Suief governorates) were 13 spider species belongs to 12 genera in 12 families. The number of collected spider species associated with foliage in this study were 10 species, as the soil spiders were 4 (one of them inhabiting foliage and soil ( Erigone sp : Linyphidae). The abundance of the collected species were higher during April month along the two cultivated seasons. The results indicated that the commonest spiders inhabiting the soil of wheat plants in Qaluobia Governorate were belonging to 3 families, Gnaphosidae, Lycosidae and Oecobiidae. The highest number of collected spider species were observed during April 2017 and 2018 but the period of December did not recorded any spiders. Family Gnaphosidae recorded the highest population followed by Lycosidae and Oecobiidae along the two examined seasons.

Effect of Striga Infestation on Sorghum Agronomic Traits and Its Breeding Strategy for Resistance in Ethiopia: A Review

In Ethiopia sorghum is a major cereal crop grown in wide agroecology however, in most of moisture stress sorghum growing areas are infested by striga. Striga is an obligate root parasitic and a major biotic constraint to sorghum production in Ethiopia. Farmers sown susceptible sorghum varieties in striga infested field resulted plant height and dray matter and yield components were affected therefore, loss significant grain yield production. Farmers named reduction of sorghum growth and stunting as main indication of Striga infestation. Varieties exhibited lower reduction for these traits in striga infestation was named resistant varieties. In Ethiopian Gobiye, Abshir and Birhan registered as striga resistance, drought tolerant and early maturing varieties. Currently in Ethiopian sorghum national breeding program these resistance varieties utilizing as a source of resistance gene and crossing with landraces and other improved genotypes to develop new high grain yielding and resistance variety with farmers preferred agronomic traits. Also resistance variety SRN 39 and Framida use in breeding program. Resistance varieties also a central components of integrated striga management. The screening techniques is undergoing at major sorghum growing areas and striga infested field however, the striga occurrence is complicated and slow down the development of new resistance variety. Laboratory screening data conceding with field data was a mandatory to developed resistance varieties. Generally, enhancing sorghum grain yield production by developing high yielding stable striga resistance varieties, improving integrate striga controlling managements and distributing resistance varieties to the farmers are unambiguous. The objectives of this paper is to review the effect of striga on sorghum agronomic traits and breeding strategy. Keywords : Striga infestation, Sorghum, resistance DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-15-06 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Effect of Striga Infestation on Sorghum Agronomic Traits and Its Breeding Strategy for Resistance in Ethiopia: A Review

In Ethiopia sorghum is a major cereal crop grown in wide agroecology however, in most of moisture stress sorghum growing areas are infested by striga. Striga is an obligate root parasitic and a major biotic constraint to sorghum production in Ethiopia. Farmers sown susceptible sorghum varieties in striga infested field resulted plant height and dray matter and yield components were affected therefore, loss significant grain yield production. Farmers named reduction of sorghum growth and stunting as main indication of Striga infestation. Varieties exhibited lower reduction for these traits in striga infestation was named resistant varieties. In Ethiopian Gobiye, Abshir and Birhan registered as striga resistance, drought tolerant and early maturing varieties. Currently in Ethiopian sorghum national breeding program these resistance varieties utilizing as a source of resistance gene and crossing with landraces and other improved genotypes to develop new high grain yielding and resistance variety with farmers preferred agronomic traits. Also resistance variety SRN 39 and Framida use in breeding program. Resistance varieties also a central components of integrated striga management. The screening techniques is undergoing at major sorghum growing areas and striga infested field however, the striga occurrence is complicated and slow down the development of new resistance variety. Laboratory screening data conceding with field data was a mandatory to developed resistance varieties. Generally, enhancing sorghum grain yield production by developing high yielding stable striga resistance varieties, improving integrate striga controlling managements and distributing resistance varieties to the farmers are unambiguous. The objectives of this paper is to review the effect of striga on sorghum agronomic traits and breeding strategy. Keywords : Striga infestation, Sorghum, resistance DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-15-03 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Morphological and Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Awn Development in Monocotyledonous Grasses.

The identification of biological mechanisms underlying the development of complex quantitative traits, including those that contribute to plant architecture, yield and quality potential, and seed dispersal, is a major focus in the evolutionary biology and plant breeding. The awn, a bristle-like extension from the lemma in the floret, is one of the distinct morphological and physiological traits in grass species. Awns are taught as an evolutionary trait assisting seed dispersal and germination and increasing photosynthesis. Awn development seems to be complex process, involving dramatic phenotypic and molecular changes. Although recent advances investigated the underlying morphological and molecular genetic factors of awn development, there is little agreement about how these factors interact during awn formation and how this interaction affects variation of awn morphology. Consequently, the developmental sequence of the awn is not yet well understood. Here, we review awn morphological and histological features, awn development pathways, and molecular processes of awn development. We argue that morphological and molecular genetic mechanisms of awn development previously studied in major cereal crops, such as barley, wheat, and rice, offered intriguing insights helping to characterize this process in a comparative approach. Applying such an approach will aid to deeply understand factors involved in awn development in grass species.

ANALYSIS OF WHEAT CROP FORECASTS, IN INDIA, GENERATED USING REMOTE SENSING DATA, UNDER FASAL PROJECT

Abstract. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal crop of the world, which plays an important role in global food and nutritional security. In India, wheat grown areas are more as compared to other food crops, except for rice. The total area under wheat cultivation is 30.60 million hectares with production of 98.38 million tonnes and the productivity is 3.22 tonnes /hectare (DES, 2017). The main objective of this paper is to highlight the development of satellite-based methodology, compare the relative deviations (%) at national level, RMSE (%) and correlation coefficient at state level and correlation coefficient at district level between DES and FASAL estimates from 2013 to 2017. It was observed that the area and production estimates improved with improvement in the satellite resolution and ground truth data. During the last 10 years of estimation the spatial resolution of the satellite data has gradually improved from 23.5 meter of (Reourcesat-2, LISS-III) and finally 10 m of Sentinel-2, MSI, which is being currently used for acreage estimation purpose. Hooda R.S et al (2006) studied that the improvement in the spatial resolution, spectral and temporal resolution of the satellite data has also improved the crop discrimination. Both accuracy as well as precision of the estimates has improved over the years from 2013 to 2017, as reflected by relative deviation, RMSE (%) and Coefficient of correlation values at national, state and district level respectively.

Estimation of greenhouse gas mitigation potential through optimized application of synthetic N, P and K fertilizer to major cereal crops: A case study from China

Abstract 2 Food security and climate warming are urgent challenges facing humans. The production and application of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potash (K) synthetic fertilizers are directly related to several greenhouse gas (GHG) processes. As the largest fertilizer consumer and CO2 emitter, China must determine its fertilization status and the overall impact of optimized fertilization on GHG emissions, considering different fertilizer-related processes. Based on a national-scale survey, we investigated the status of synthetic fertilizer application to rice, wheat and corn in 2011 in China. In addition, we built the “carbon accounting and net mitigation for synthetic fertilizer application (CANM-SFA)” framework, which comprehensively evaluates the emissions from fertilizer production and the influences of fertilization on non-CO2 GHG emissions from cropland and soil carbon sequestration. Using the CANM-SFA framework, we estimated the net mitigation potential (NMP) of GHGs under optimized fertilization in accordance with national fertilization recommendations (the “Recommendation”). Our results indicated that overuse and unbalanced fertilization are common in China. Compared to fertilization in 2011, the fertilizer use in the Recommendation could be reduced by 37%, 43% and 44% for N, P and K fertilizer in China, respectively. The Recommendation could mitigate 5.2, 5.9 and 7.6 Tg Ce from fertilizer production for rice, wheat and corn, respectively. For rice, the CH4 emissions changed from 30.5 Tg Ce in 2011 to 34.1 Tg Ce under the Recommendation. In addition, the N2O emissions decreased from 4.8 Tg Ce to 3.6 Tg Ce. For both wheat and corn, the N2O emissions were 2.5 Tg Ce under the Recommendation. In summary, the NMP was 0.8, 5.3 and 6.5 Tg Ce at rates of 26, 219 and 195 kg Ce ha−1 yr−1 for rice, wheat and corn, respectively. The national NMP, as the sum of 14.5, −1.4 and −0.4 Tg Ce from the N-, P- and K- optimized fertilization adjustments, respectively, could offset 5.8% of China's CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in 2011. Therefore, the implementation of the Recommendation, especially for N fertilization, throughout the country has great potential for mitigating GHG emissions.