Optimizing the water-energy-food nexus in dryland winter wheat systems on the loess plateau

Providing climate-adaptive solutions to enhance wheat production while improving the efficiency of resource utilization is a key approach to addressing the food security challenges faced by dryland agriculture. This study aimed to assess the impacts of straw mulching and supplementary irrigation on wheat yield, water use efficiency, irrigation water productivity, water footprint, carbon footprint, and energy productivity through the water-energy-food nexus by employing the DSSAT-CERES-Wheat model. Result showed that the DSSAT-CERES-Wheat model can accurately evaluate grain yield and water balance of winter wheat response to residue management and irrigation practice. The grain yield with straw mulching was higher than that with non-mulching. The straw mulching produced the higher indirect emission than non-mulching, resulting in higher GHG emission. Straw mulching significantly reduced the water and carbon footprints while simultaneously enhancing energy productivity for winter wheat compared to non-mulching treatment, primarily by increasing the wheat grain yield. The influence of straw mulching on the energy consumption of wheat production is relatively limited. The grain yield combing straw mulching with a single spring irrigation reached 81 % of the maximum yield. From the perspective of optimizing the water-energy-food nexus, straw mulching combined with one irrigation at critical stage was the best treatment for wheat. The research framework on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for crops presented in this study provides a scientific basis for informed decision-making, which is crucial for formulating sustainable agricultural policies, optimizing resource management strategies, and promoting integrated governance of agricultural ecosystems in arid regions. • CERES-Wheat model was used to simulate irrigation practices with straw mulching. • Water-energy-food nexus approach was used to evaluate the impacts of straw mulching and irrigation. • Straw mulching with supplemental irrigation enhance grain yield and water productivity. • Straw mulching with supplemental irrigation maintain lower environmental footprint of wheat.