Visualizing clustering characteristics of multidimensional arable land quality indexes at the county level in mainland China

The evaluation of the arable land ecosystem services capacity and arable land use intensity is important for recognizing regional key factors that impact the change of arable land attributes. A chronic lack of cooperation persists between these two fields of study, which makes providing sufficient information to support developing arable land use management and control policies difficult. In this study, the clustering characteristics of four arable land quality indexes have been assessed using the K-means algorithm to indicate the regional coordination between arable land resource protection and arable land use. The clustering results have been visualized using circular cartogram. This study can contribute to the identification of key regional challenges in China's arable land use and help to build the framework of other countries’ arable land protection policies.

Recessive Transition Mechanism of Arable Land Use Based on the Perspective of Coupling Coordination of Input–Output: A Case Study of 31 Provinces in China

In the rapid process of urbanization in China, arable land resources are faced with dual challenges in terms of quantity and quality. Starting with the change in the coupling coordination relationship between the input and output on arable land, this study applies an evaluation model of the degree of coupling coordination between the input and output (D_CCIO) on arable land and deeply analyzes the recessive transition mechanism and internal differences in arable land use modes in 31 provinces on mainland China. The results show that the total amount and the amount per unit area of the input and output on arable land in China have presented different spatio-temporal trends, along with the mismatched movement of the spatial barycenter. Although the D_CCIO on arable land increases slowly as a whole, 31 provinces show different recessive transition mechanisms of arable land use, which is hidden in the internal changes in the input–output structure. The results of this study highlight the different recessive transition patterns of arable land use in different provinces of China, which points to the outlook for higher technical input, optimized planting structure, and the coordination of human-land relationships.

Biological efficiency and competitive ability of spring vetch when growing from a mixture with rapeseed for seeds and grain fodder

The purpose of the research is to study the influence of the method of growing mowed and grain-fed varieties of spring vetch in mixed crops with spring rape on the seed yield, yield structure, and seed sowing qualities. Method of research. Formulation of field experience and generalization of research results were performed in accordance with the methods of experimental work. Indicators that characterize the biological efficiency, competitiveness and aggressiveness of crops are considered. Results. Sowing of spring vetch with a seeding rate of 1.3, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 million germinating seeds per hectare in a mixture with rapeseed leads to the formation of a grain crop that significantly exceeds the yield for single-species sowing of vetches. Evaluation of the efficiency of arable land use (LER) shows that when using Vetch-rapeseed crops, the productivity of 1 ha of arable land increases significantly: by 1.9–2.16 times for the Krasnoufimskaya 49 variety; 1.89–2.02 times for the L’govskaya 91 variety; 1.82–1.98 times for the Lugovskaya 98 variety; 1.38–1.62 times for the Lyuba variety. The efficiency of arable land use is achieved due to the total interaction of both crops and their increased competitiveness in the agro-cenosis. When the seeding rate is 0.4 million per ha, compared with the seeding rate of 1.3 million per ha, the vetch aggressiveness coefficient, depending on the variety, increases by 1.59–2.0 times. Scientific novelty. In the conditions of the Middle Urals, high efficiency of vetch cultivation in mixed crops with rapeseed was revealed, and the influence of changes in the seeding rate on the yield and sowing qualities of vetch seeds was established.

How Does Rural–Urban Migration Experience Affect Arable Land Use? Evidence from 2293 Farmers in China

Return migrants play an increasingly important role in agricultural production in China and other developing countries. However, the effect of rural–urban migration experience on farmers’ arable land use remains unclear. This study aims to fill this gap using data from a survey of 2293 farmers consisting of 586 return migrants and 1707 non-migrants in China. We employ the treatment effects model to account for the self-selectivity of rural–urban migration experience arising from observable and unobservable factors. The results show that after accounting for the self-selectivity bias, the rural–urban migration experience significantly increases farmers’ arable land use by 22%. Meanwhile, the positive effect of rural–urban migration experience on arable land use differs by farmers’ age group and region. While rural–urban migration experience increases arable land use for farmers aged below 65 years old by 29%, it shows no significant effect on arable land use for farmers aged 65 years old and above. In addition, there is a positive relationship between rural–urban migration experience and arable land use in Shaanxi, Shandong, and Zhejiang. However, there is no significant effect of rural–urban migration experience on arable land use. On such a basis, we discuss several important implications for policies related to arable land use in China.