Stagnating yields and soil degradation due to intensive fertilizer use

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated challenges and stated research gap and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 1 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Long-Term Nutrient Management (47 Years) Drives Yield Trajectories and Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in Maize-Wheat Cropping System of the Northwestern Himalayas (2026) · Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition · doi

  Stagnating yields and soil degradation due to intensive fertilizer use. Declining soil organic matter and soil fertility. The need for sustainable agricultural practices that balance crop productivity and soil health.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: stagnating yields soil degradation due intensive fertilizer use
• Biochar effects on soil organic carbon sequestration and acidity amelioration persist after 10 years (2026) · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · cited 1× · doi

  One of the challenges identified is the limited precipitation in the study area, which can affect soil health and fertility. Another challenge is the low biomass input in the dryland wheat-spring pea rotation system, which can contribute to soil organic carbon loss. The study also notes the challenge of maintaining soil fertility and mitigating soil acidification in the face of intensive cropping and chemical inputs.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: one challenges identified limited precipitation study area affect
• Innovative management program for achieving high yield and emission reduction: a case study of wheat/maize rotation production in the North China Plain (2026) · Frontiers in Plant Science · doi

  The lack of sustainable management strategies to balance yield, enhance nutrient efficiency, and conserve soil nitrogen in wheat/maize rotation systems. The need to identify the factors that influence yield constraints and determine new approaches to improve agronomic practices.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack sustainable management strategies balance yield enhance nutrient
• Soil acidification drives a massive accumulation of nitrite as a mechanistic bottleneck to inhibit maize growth and productivity (2026) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi

  Further research is needed to quantitatively disentangle the contributions of different stressors to crop damage. Studies should investigate the effects of soil acidification on other crops and ecosystems. Research should focus on developing ecological management and mitigation strategies for acidified soils.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 4/5
  Keywords: further research needed quantitatively disentangle contributions different stressors

Questions about this gap