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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
12:50
Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds
Published on: September 26, 2017
12.0K
Global patterns of crop yield stability under additional nutrient and water inputs.
Christoph Müller1, Joshua Elliott2,3, Thomas A M Pugh4,5
1Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam, Germany.
Plos One
|June 28, 2018
Summary
Increasing agricultural output requires intensification. Simulations show nitrogen boosts yield variability, while irrigation stabilizes it, impacting food security and price volatility.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural science
- Climate change research
- Food security studies
Background:
- Growing global population and wealth necessitate increased agricultural production for food, biomaterials, and energy.
- Minimizing deforestation and land-use change is crucial for biodiversity and carbon storage.
- Agricultural land use intensification is needed to enhance food production per unit area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of input-driven intensification (water and nutrients) on crop yield and yield stability.
- To understand the implications for food security under different intensification scenarios.
- To analyze region- and crop-specific responses to agricultural intensification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized simulations from the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project's (AgMIP) Global Gridded Crop Model Intercomparison (GGCMI) phase 1.
- Analyzed simulated data for the period 1980-2009.
- Compared model responses to varying water (irrigation) and nutrient (nitrogen) inputs.
Main Results:
- Observed region- and crop-specific yield responses to intensification.
- Found broadly increasing yield variability with additional nitrogen inputs.
- Identified stabilizing yields with additional water inputs (irrigation).
Conclusions:
- Nitrogen and water inputs have differential effects on crop yield stability, reflecting current limitations.
- Model intercomparison revealed consistent response patterns but highlighted the need for further research into management and model implementation.
- Increased crop productivity variability necessitates robust trade and storage mechanisms to mitigate food price volatility.
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