Climate and farming system dominate wheat yield responses across European pedoclimatic zones, despite widespread soil nutrient surpluses

Abstract Background and aims European wheat production faces the challenge of maintaining yields while reducing environmental impacts from agrochemicals. Organic farming is often considered a sustainable alternative to promote soil health and reduce chemical inputs. This study assessed nutrient status in wheat soils across nine European pedoclimatic zones, comparing conventional and organic systems and evaluating management practices such as crop rotation, tillage and fertilization type. Methods A total of 188 soils were analyzed for macro- and micronutrients, and wheat yield data were evaluated in relation to soil nutrients, climate, wheat type (winter- vs. spring-sown), and management using correlation, random forest, and regression analyses. Results Soils showed excess P, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, but S and B deficiencies. Organic systems increased total N, while conventional farming enhanced nitrate, sulfate, and boron. Wheat yield was primarily driven by temperature, precipitation, wheat type (winter- vs. spring-sown), and farming system, with additional contributions from fertilization and nutrients (particularly exchangeable Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn). On average, organic yields were 37% significantly lower than conventional, but these differences were smaller in Mediterranean zones due to reduced pest pressure and improved water retention and infiltration. Practices such as crop rotation, residue incorporation, and reduced tillage positively influenced yield. Conclusion Organic farming supports soil health and sustainable use of resources, but may reduce wheat yield in northern and central European pedoclimatic zones. Tailored nutrient management combined with agronomic practices can enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts, especially in climate-stressed regions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Plant and Soil
Published
2026-04-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08526-3
Primary Topic
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Climate and farming system dominate wheat yield responses across European pedoclimatic zones, despite widespread soil nutrient surpluses

Eva Lloret, Igor Ðekemati, Maarten De Boever, Simon Bo Lassen et al.
Plant and Soil
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
article

Climate and farming system dominate wheat yield responses across European pedoclimatic zones, despite widespread soil nutrient surpluses

Eva Lloret, Igor Ðekemati, Maarten De Boever, Simon Bo Lassen, Juha‐Matti Pitkänen, Kaire Loit, Barbara Simon, Manuel Arias‐Estévez, Claudia Campillo-Cora, Marian Põldmets, Irene Ollio, Vanesa Santás-Miguel, Antía Gómez-Armesto, József Dezső, David Fernández‐Calviño, Nikola Grujić, Krista Peltoniemi, Lieven Waeyenberge, Jasper Vanbesien, Paula Pérez‐Rodríguez, Silvia Martínez‐Martínez, Noémie Hisette, Flora Alonso-Vega, Merrit Shanskiy, Juan Carlos Nóvoa-Muñoz, María J. I. Briones, Manuel Conde-Cid, Stefan Schrader, Andrés Rodríguez-Seijo, Raúl Zornoza, Kristian Koefoed Brandt
article en

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims European wheat production faces the challenge of maintaining yields while reducing environmental impacts from agrochemicals. Organic farming is often considered a sustainable alternative to promote soil health and reduce chemical inputs. This study assessed nutrient status in wheat soils across nine European pedoclimatic zones, comparing conventional and organic systems and evaluating management practices such as crop rotation, tillage and fertilization type. Methods A total of 188 soils were analyzed for macro- and micronutrients, and wheat yield data were evaluated in relation to soil nutrients, climate, wheat type (winter- vs. spring-sown), and management using correlation, random forest, and regression analyses. Results Soils showed excess P, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, but S and B deficiencies. Organic systems increased total N, while conventional farming enhanced nitrate, sulfate, and boron. Wheat yield was primarily driven by temperature, precipitation, wheat type (winter- vs. spring-sown), and farming system, with additional contributions from fertilization and nutrients (particularly exchangeable Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn). On average, organic yields were 37% significantly lower than conventional, but these differences were smaller in Mediterranean zones due to reduced pest pressure and improved water retention and infiltration. Practices such as crop rotation, residue incorporation, and reduced tillage positively influenced yield. Conclusion Organic farming supports soil health and sustainable use of resources, but may reduce wheat yield in northern and central European pedoclimatic zones. Tailored nutrient management combined with agronomic practices can enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts, especially in climate-stressed regions.

Plant and Soil
University of Copenhagen (DK), Magyar Agrár- és Élettudományi Egyetem (HU), Estonian University of Life Sciences (EE), AZ Groeninge (BE), Buda Health Center (HU), Natural Resources Institute Finland (FI), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (ES), Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (DE), Institute of Agricultural Economics Belgrade (RS), Inagro (Belgium) (BE), Rede de Química e Tecnologia (PT), Instituut voor Landbouw en Visserijonderzoek (BE), Universidade de Vigo (ES), University of Pecs (HU), Polytechnic Institute of Porto (PT)
Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Universidade de Vigo, Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Consorcio Interuniversitario do Sistema Universitario de Galicia
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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