Sustainable Cropping Systems Under a Changing Climate explores how climate change is reshaping agriculture and highlights the urgent need for resilient, adaptive, and sustainable farming practices. As extreme weather, rising temperatures, and resource pressures threaten food security, this volume offers practical pathways to transform agricultural systems.
Bringing together leading research, real-world case studies, and innovative strategies, this book addresses vulnerabilities and opportunities in modern farming. It covers sustainability principles, climate-smart practices, and the roles of soil health, biodiversity, conservation agriculture, organic farming, agroforestry, regenerative approaches, and plant–microbe interactions in enhancing resilience. Special focus is given to intensive systems such as rice–wheat and rainfed agriculture, particularly in the Global South.
With an interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on both scientific evidence and practical application, this volume bridges a critical gap by supporting informed decision-making at farm, institutional, and policy levels. It is a timely resource for researchers, agronomists, extension professionals, and others seeking to future-proof agriculture through nature-based and technological solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.
1. Introduction - p. xliii 2. Foreword - p. xlv 3. Chapter 1. Climate change and global cropping systems - p. 1 4. Chapter 2. Principles of sustainable cropping systems - p. 31 5. Chapter 3. Rainfed intensive cropping systems - p. 43 6. Chapter 4. Climate sensitivity of intensive rice–wheat systems - p. 63 7. Chapter 5. Energy and carbon footprint of diversified rainfed cropping systems - p. 79 8. Chapter 6. Productivity, profitability, and energy use efficiency of cropping systems under different tillage regimes - p. 91 9. Chapter 7. Impact of climate change on soil activity (nitrifying, denitrifying) and other interactions in different cropping systems - p. 111 10. Chapter 8. Modeling soil carbon accumulation in different cropping systems - p. 127 11. Chapter 9. A yield gap analysis to assess vulnerability of different cropping systems to climatic extremes - p. 145 12. Chapter 10. Weed management across cropping systems: current challenges and future prospects - p. 161 13. Chapter 11. Organic farming for mitigation of climate change impacts - p. 177 14. Chapter 12. Designing innovative cropping systems to meet sustainable development goals - p. 189 15. Chapter 13. Diversified cropping systems with complementary root growth strategies for climate change adaptation - p. 203 16. Chapter 14. Evaluation of climate-resilient agricultural practices in different cropping systems of the Indian subcontinent - p. 217 17. Chapter 15. Potential of strip cropping systems as climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 225 18. Chapter 16. Water–energy–food nexus of different cropping systems - p. 241 19. Chapter 17. Importance of soil health for climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 261 20. Chapter 18. Regenerative agriculture - p. 271 21. Chapter 19. Climate-resilient technologies for sustainable cropping systems - p. 293 22. Chapter 20. Transformative adaptation: from climate-smart to climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 307 23. Chapter 21. Identification of low-water-demand cropping systems to support water resource conservation - p. 315 24. Chapter 22. Carbon sequestration potential of different cropping systems - p. 329 25. Chapter 23. Evaluation of agronomic interventions for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts in different cropping systems - p. 339 26. Chapter 24. Biochar use for the mitigation of climate change impacts in different cropping systems: a case study of rice–wheat systems - p. 353 27. Chapter 25. Building resilience for food and nutrition security: focusing on low-input cropping systems - p. 373 28. Chapter 26. Unlocking the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on different cropping systems - p. 387 29. Chapter 27. Systems-based ecological approaches for integrated and resilient weed management - p. 403 30. Chapter 28. Investigation of diversified cropping systems for climate resilience - p. 413 31. Chapter 29. Models evaluation in diversified cropping systems - p. 423 32. Chapter 30. Integrated pest management in different cropping systems - p. 445 33. Chapter 31. Integrated disease management in different cropping systems - p. 459 34. Chapter 32. Robust cropping systems to tackle biotic stress in a changing climate - p. 471 35. Chapter 33. Harnessing soil carbon sequestration to address climate change challenges in different cropping systems - p. 487 36. Chapter 34. Sustainability, productivity, profitability, and nutritional diversity of different cropping systems: a case study - p. 501 37. Chapter 35. Studying the role of long fallow as an adaptation strategy to climate change in dryland cropping systems - p. 515 38. Chapter 36. Beneficial microbes for climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 529 39. Chapter 37. Integrating intensive livestock and cropping systems: sustainable design and location - p. 543 40. Chapter 38. Enhancing the climate resilience of cropping systems - p. 555 41. Chapter 39. The role of modeling in adapting and building the climate resilience of cropping systems - p. 567 42. Chapter 40. Buffering action of conservation agriculture to climate change - p. 577 43. Chapter 41. Conservation agriculture as a climate change adaptation strategy: a case study of the Mediterranean region - p. 595 44. Chapter 42. Application of biochar as circular economy practice for improving resilient agroecosystems - p. 611 45. Chapter 43. Agroforestry solutions for buffering climate variability and adapting to change - p. 625 46. Chapter 44. Channeling the future? The use of seasonal climate forecasts in climate adaptation - p. 635 47. Chapter 45. Agricultural adaptation to climate change: new approaches to knowledge and learning - p. 645 48. Chapter 46. What factors dictate of coping strategies for extreme climate events? The case of farmers in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia - p. 665 49. Index - p. 673
Sustainable Cropping Systems Under a Changing Climate explores how climate change is reshaping agriculture and highlights the urgent need for resilient, adaptive, and sustainable farming practices. As extreme weather, rising temperatures, and resource pressures threaten food security, this volume offers practical pathways to transform agricultural systems.
Bringing together leading research, real-world case studies, and innovative strategies, this book addresses vulnerabilities and opportunities in modern farming. It covers sustainability principles, climate-smart practices, and the roles of soil health, biodiversity, conservation agriculture, organic farming, agroforestry, regenerative approaches, and plant–microbe interactions in enhancing resilience. Special focus is given to intensive systems such as rice–wheat and rainfed agriculture, particularly in the Global South.
With an interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on both scientific evidence and practical application, this volume bridges a critical gap by supporting informed decision-making at farm, institutional, and policy levels. It is a timely resource for researchers, agronomists, extension professionals, and others seeking to future-proof agriculture through nature-based and technological solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.
1. Introduction - p. xliii 2. Foreword - p. xlv 3. Chapter 1. Climate change and global cropping systems - p. 1 4. Chapter 2. Principles of sustainable cropping systems - p. 31 5. Chapter 3. Rainfed intensive cropping systems - p. 43 6. Chapter 4. Climate sensitivity of intensive rice–wheat systems - p. 63 7. Chapter 5. Energy and carbon footprint of diversified rainfed cropping systems - p. 79 8. Chapter 6. Productivity, profitability, and energy use efficiency of cropping systems under different tillage regimes - p. 91 9. Chapter 7. Impact of climate change on soil activity (nitrifying, denitrifying) and other interactions in different cropping systems - p. 111 10. Chapter 8. Modeling soil carbon accumulation in different cropping systems - p. 127 11. Chapter 9. A yield gap analysis to assess vulnerability of different cropping systems to climatic extremes - p. 145 12. Chapter 10. Weed management across cropping systems: current challenges and future prospects - p. 161 13. Chapter 11. Organic farming for mitigation of climate change impacts - p. 177 14. Chapter 12. Designing innovative cropping systems to meet sustainable development goals - p. 189 15. Chapter 13. Diversified cropping systems with complementary root growth strategies for climate change adaptation - p. 203 16. Chapter 14. Evaluation of climate-resilient agricultural practices in different cropping systems of the Indian subcontinent - p. 217 17. Chapter 15. Potential of strip cropping systems as climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 225 18. Chapter 16. Water–energy–food nexus of different cropping systems - p. 241 19. Chapter 17. Importance of soil health for climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 261 20. Chapter 18. Regenerative agriculture - p. 271 21. Chapter 19. Climate-resilient technologies for sustainable cropping systems - p. 293 22. Chapter 20. Transformative adaptation: from climate-smart to climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 307 23. Chapter 21. Identification of low-water-demand cropping systems to support water resource conservation - p. 315 24. Chapter 22. Carbon sequestration potential of different cropping systems - p. 329 25. Chapter 23. Evaluation of agronomic interventions for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts in different cropping systems - p. 339 26. Chapter 24. Biochar use for the mitigation of climate change impacts in different cropping systems: a case study of rice–wheat systems - p. 353 27. Chapter 25. Building resilience for food and nutrition security: focusing on low-input cropping systems - p. 373 28. Chapter 26. Unlocking the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on different cropping systems - p. 387 29. Chapter 27. Systems-based ecological approaches for integrated and resilient weed management - p. 403 30. Chapter 28. Investigation of diversified cropping systems for climate resilience - p. 413 31. Chapter 29. Models evaluation in diversified cropping systems - p. 423 32. Chapter 30. Integrated pest management in different cropping systems - p. 445 33. Chapter 31. Integrated disease management in different cropping systems - p. 459 34. Chapter 32. Robust cropping systems to tackle biotic stress in a changing climate - p. 471 35. Chapter 33. Harnessing soil carbon sequestration to address climate change challenges in different cropping systems - p. 487 36. Chapter 34. Sustainability, productivity, profitability, and nutritional diversity of different cropping systems: a case study - p. 501 37. Chapter 35. Studying the role of long fallow as an adaptation strategy to climate change in dryland cropping systems - p. 515 38. Chapter 36. Beneficial microbes for climate-resilient cropping systems - p. 529 39. Chapter 37. Integrating intensive livestock and cropping systems: sustainable design and location - p. 543 40. Chapter 38. Enhancing the climate resilience of cropping systems - p. 555 41. Chapter 39. The role of modeling in adapting and building the climate resilience of cropping systems - p. 567 42. Chapter 40. Buffering action of conservation agriculture to climate change - p. 577 43. Chapter 41. Conservation agriculture as a climate change adaptation strategy: a case study of the Mediterranean region - p. 595 44. Chapter 42. Application of biochar as circular economy practice for improving resilient agroecosystems - p. 611 45. Chapter 43. Agroforestry solutions for buffering climate variability and adapting to change - p. 625 46. Chapter 44. Channeling the future? The use of seasonal climate forecasts in climate adaptation - p. 635 47. Chapter 45. Agricultural adaptation to climate change: new approaches to knowledge and learning - p. 645 48. Chapter 46. What factors dictate of coping strategies for extreme climate events? The case of farmers in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia - p. 665 49. Index - p. 673
