Effects of different fertilization practices on maize yield, soil nutrients, soil moisture, and water use efficiency in northern China based on a meta-analysis

Abstract

The application of fertilizer to ensure the steady improvement of crop yield has become the main means of agricultural production. However, it remains to be determined whether fertilization practices with different combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic (O) fertilizers play a positive role in the sustainability of maize yield and the soil in which it is grown. Therefore,this meta-analysis extracted 2663 data points from 76 studies to systematically analyze and explore the effects of different fertilization measures on maize yield, soil nutrients, water content and water use efficiency (WUE) in northern China. Articles addressing this topic showed that fertilization effectively increased the soil nutrient content and maize yield. The soil organic matter (SOM) increased by 2.36 (N)–55.38% (NPO), total nitrogen content increased by 6.10 (N)–56.39% (NPO), available phosphorus content increased by 17.12 (N)–474.74% (NPO), and available potassium content changed by − 2.90 (NP)–64.40% (NPO). Soil moisture increased by 3.59% under a single organic fertilizer application and decreased by 4.27–13.40% under the other treatments. Compared with no fertilization, the yield increase of fertilized maize reached 11.65–220.42%. NP, NPK and NPKO contributed the most to increased yield in lithological, black and fluvo-aquic soils, respectively. The effects of different fertilization practices on maize yield varied in response to the same meteorological factors. The WUE increased from 9.51 to 160.72%. In conclusion, rational fertilization can improve the soil nutrient content and increase maize yield. The combined application of chemical and organic fertilizer showed the greatest increase in yield and WUE. Organic fertilizer application alone increased soil moisture. Our results provide a theoretical basis for fertilizer application and for improving the soil structure for maize cultivation in northern China.

Identification of Key Soil Mineral Elements Affecting Sugars and Organic Acids of Jujube Fruit

“…In addition, it is worth noting that the content of the elements Ca, Fe, Mn and B in the soil of the jujube-producing area of the Tarim Basin is much higher than that of other areas [39], which is most likely because the Tarim Basin is located in an arid area with almost no rainfall and serious wind erosion [40,41]. Therefore, in the process of fertilization, it is necessary to consider supplementing the missing nutrients in the soil to improve the ability of plants to adapt to adverse environmental conditions [42]. Suitable fertilization can help reduce the loss of elements, and improve crop yield and quality.…”