Production benefit analysis of annual forage rotation systems in an arid area of central Ningxia

doi:10.11686/cyxb2025253

Abstract

Abstract:

Compared with traditional monocropping systems， mixed cropping systems can increase crop diversity in rotations. However， whether this approach enhances crop yields and economic benefits remains to be verified. Furthermore， the impact of differing material and energy inputs between mixed cropping systems and monocropping systems on energy utilization efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions remains unclear. Field trials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 using a randomized block design with three treatments：［maize （Zea mays） monoculture （M）］，［Sorghum bicolor/Lablab purpureus-maize （S/L-M）］， and ［Avena sativa/hairy vetch （Vicia villosa）-maize （O/V-M）］. Measurements and analyses were carried out to determine yield （fresh and dry forage yield）， economic benefits （output value， costs， and net income）， energy efficiency （input-output ratios and energy utilization rates）， greenhouse gas emissions （N₂O emissions and emission intensity）， and ecological efficiency indices ［EEI_EI （economic ecological efficiency index） and EEI_GHG（greenhouse gas emissions ecological efficiency index）］. The results show that， compared with the M model， the S/L-M system increased yield and economic benefits by 157.1% and 93.5%， respectively， with material and energy inputs increased by 127.5%. Labor and seed inputs were the primary drivers of the increased material and energy inputs， being increased by 67.5% and 60.0%， respectively， in the cropping rotation system. However， while the rotation system increased material inputs， it also improved energy utilization efficiency by 211.8%， thereby reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity by 34.6%. Compared with the O/V-M system， the S/L-M system demonstrated superior performance in terms of both yield and economic benefits. Because of its enhanced material and energy utilization efficiencies， the S/L-M system reduced greenhouse gas emission intensity by 15.4% and increased the ecological efficiency index by 16.9%. These results show that replacing maize monoculture with the S/L-M model not only effectively alleviates forage shortages and significantly boosts system yield and economic benefits， but also enhances material and energy utilization efficiencies while reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity. Therefore， this model is recommended for the sustainable development of arid agriculture in central Ningxia.

Key words: arid region, rotation system, mixed sowing, yield, ecological benefits

Bo SUN, Jun-yi ZHANG, Chun-yan BAI, Fan FENG, Jian LAN, Jian-qiang DENG. Production benefit analysis of annual forage rotation systems in an arid area of central Ningxia[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2026, 35(6): 35-48.

Figures/Tables 10

References 55

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项目 Item	2023	2024
玉米 Maize	2.68	2.30
甜高粱 S. bicolor	13.20	14.10
拉巴豆 L. purpureus	8.42	9.79
饲用燕麦 A. sativa	6.45	7.25
毛苕子 V. villosa	5.55	6.28

项目 Item	2023	2024
玉米 Maize	2.68	2.30
甜高粱 S. bicolor	13.20	14.10
拉巴豆 L. purpureus	8.42	9.79
饲用燕麦 A. sativa	6.45	7.25
毛苕子 V. villosa	5.55	6.28

项目 Item	类别 Category	单位 Unit	能量系数 Energy conversion coefficient （MJ）	材料生产排放系数 Emission coefficient from production of materials （kg CO₂e·unit^-1）	材料使用排放系数 Emission coefficient from materials use （kg CO₂e·unit^-1）	参考文献 Reference
投入 Input	成年男性>18岁Adult male>18 years	h	1.96	—	0.035	［19］
	成年女性>18岁Adult females>18 years	h	1.57	—	0.035	［19］
	柴油Diesel oil	L	56.31	53.27	3.320	［20］
	拖拉机Tractors	h	332.00	3.32	—	［20］
	氮肥Nitrogen fertilizer	kg	60.60	0.81	4.960	［21］
	磷肥Phosphate fertilizer	kg	11.10	0.11	—	［22］
	杀虫剂Insecticide	kg	120.00	—	—	［23］
	玉米种子Maize seeds	kg	15.10	—	—	［24］
	饲用燕麦种子A. sativa seeds	kg	15.50	—	—	［25］
	甜高粱种子S. bicolor seeds	kg	17.35	—	—	［26］
	拉巴豆种子L. purpureus seeds	kg	14.20	—	—	［27］
	毛苕子种子V. villosa seeds	kg	14.50	—	—	［27］
产出 Output	玉米干物质Maize dry matter	kg	18.00	—	—	［28］
	饲用燕麦干物质 A. sativa dry matter	kg	16.30	—	—	［29］
	甜高粱干物质S. bicolor dry matter	kg	17.80	—	—	［30］
	拉巴豆干物质L. purpureus dry matter	kg	18.30	—	—	［31］
	毛苕子干物质V. villosa dry matter	kg	20.20	—	—	［31］

项目 Item	类别 Category	单位 Unit	能量系数 Energy conversion coefficient （MJ）	材料生产排放系数 Emission coefficient from production of materials （kg CO₂e·unit^-1）	材料使用排放系数 Emission coefficient from materials use （kg CO₂e·unit^-1）	参考文献 Reference
投入 Input	成年男性>18岁Adult male>18 years	h	1.96	—	0.035	［19］
	成年女性>18岁Adult females>18 years	h	1.57	—	0.035	［19］
	柴油Diesel oil	L	56.31	53.27	3.320	［20］
	拖拉机Tractors	h	332.00	3.32	—	［20］
	氮肥Nitrogen fertilizer	kg	60.60	0.81	4.960	［21］
	磷肥Phosphate fertilizer	kg	11.10	0.11	—	［22］
	杀虫剂Insecticide	kg	120.00	—	—	［23］
	玉米种子Maize seeds	kg	15.10	—	—	［24］
	饲用燕麦种子A. sativa seeds	kg	15.50	—	—	［25］
	甜高粱种子S. bicolor seeds	kg	17.35	—	—	［26］
	拉巴豆种子L. purpureus seeds	kg	14.20	—	—	［27］
	毛苕子种子V. villosa seeds	kg	14.50	—	—	［27］
产出 Output	玉米干物质Maize dry matter	kg	18.00	—	—	［28］
	饲用燕麦干物质 A. sativa dry matter	kg	16.30	—	—	［29］
	甜高粱干物质S. bicolor dry matter	kg	17.80	—	—	［30］
	拉巴豆干物质L. purpureus dry matter	kg	18.30	—	—	［31］
	毛苕子干物质V. villosa dry matter	kg	20.20	—	—	［31］

年份 Year	轮作模式 Rotation system	鲜草产量 Fresh grass yield	干草产量 Hay grass yield
2023	O/V-M	144.55±0.72b	38.79±0.15b
	S/L-M	227.90±0.74a	60.17±0.16a
	M	58.23±0.17c	17.54±0.20c
2024	O/V-M	141.84±1.06b	48.39±0.28b
	S/L-M	251.18±0.82a	69.36±0.60a
	M	47.77±0.22c	25.35±0.16c
年份Year		0.567	<0.004
轮作模式Rotation system		<0.001	<0.001
年份×轮作模式Year×rotation system		0.078	0.953