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Effects of Different Fertilization Regimes on Crop Yield and Soil Water Use Efficiency of Millet and Soybean

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  • Qiang Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Hongwei Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Xingmin Mu

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Guangju Zhao

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Peng Gao

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Wenyi Sun

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

Abstract

Soil water and nutrients are major factors limiting crop productivity. In the present study, soil water use efficiency (WUE) and crop yield of millet and soybean were investigated under nine fertilization regimes (no nitrogen (N) and no phosphorus (P) (CK), 120 kg ha −1 N and no P (N1P0), 240 kg ha −1 N and no P (N2P0), 45 kg ha −1 P and no N (N0P1), 90 kg ha −1 P and no N (N0P2), 120 kg ha −1 N and 45 kg ha −1 P (N1P1), 240 kg ha −1 N and 45 kg ha −1 P (N2P1), 120 kg ha −1 N and 90 kg ha −1 P (N1P2), 240 kg ha −1 N and 90 kg ha −1 P (N2P2)) in the Loess Plateau, China. We conducted fertilization experiments in two cultivation seasons and collected soil nutrient, water use, and crop yield data. Combined N and P fertilization resulted in the greatest increase in crop yield and WUE, followed by the single P fertilizer application, and single N fertilizer application. The control treatment, which consisted of neither P nor N fertilizer application, had the least effect on crop yield. The combined N and P fertilization increased soil organic matter (SOM) and soil total N, while soil water consumption increased in all treatments. SOM and total N content increased significantly when compared to the control conditions, by 27.1–81.3%, and 301.3–669.2%, respectively, only under combined N and P application. The combined N and P application promoted the formation of a favorable soil aggregate structure and improved soil microbial activity, which accelerated fertilizer use, and enhanced the capacity of soil to maintain fertilizer supply. Crop yield increased significantly in all treatments when compared to the control conditions, with soybean and millet yields increasing by 82.5–560.1% and 55–490.8%, respectively. The combined application of N and P fertilizers increased soil water consumption, improved soil WUE, and satisfied crop growth and development requirements. In addition, soil WUE was significantly positively correlated with crop yield. Our results provide a scientific basis for rational crop fertilization in semi-arid areas on the Loess Plateau.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Liu & Hongwei Xu & Xingmin Mu & Guangju Zhao & Peng Gao & Wenyi Sun, 2020. "Effects of Different Fertilization Regimes on Crop Yield and Soil Water Use Efficiency of Millet and Soybean," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4125-:d:359634
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jouf, C. & Lawson, L.A., 2022. "European farmers’ responses to higher commodity prices: Cropland expansion or forestlands preservation?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Qiang Liu & Hongwei Xu & Haijie Yi, 2021. "Impact of Fertilizer on Crop Yield and C:N:P Stoichiometry in Arid and Semi-Arid Soil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Mohamed Allam & Emanuele Radicetti & Valentina Quintarelli & Verdiana Petroselli & Sara Marinari & Roberto Mancinelli, 2022. "Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Crop Productivity under Different Tillage Systems: A Meta-Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Helder Zavale & Greenwell Matchaya & Delfim Vilissa & Charles Nhemachena & Sibusiso Nhlengethwa & Duque Wilson, 2020. "Dynamics of the Fertilizer Value Chain in Mozambique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Chouaib Jouf & Laté Lawson, 2021. "European farmers’ responses to higher commodity prices: cropland expansion or forestlands preservation?," EconomiX Working Papers 2021-10, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.

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