Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices
Precise and efficient fertilizer and irrigation management is critical for apple production in the Loess Plateau, China. In this study, we established three levels of nitrogen application and irrigation in nine treatments in an apple orchard based on a completely randomized block design. Then, we an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/3/468 |
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| author | Shibiao Cai Bangyu Zheng Zhiyuan Zhao Zhaoxia Zheng Na Yang Bingnian Zhai |
| author_facet | Shibiao Cai Bangyu Zheng Zhiyuan Zhao Zhaoxia Zheng Na Yang Bingnian Zhai |
| author_sort | Shibiao Cai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Precise and efficient fertilizer and irrigation management is critical for apple production in the Loess Plateau, China. In this study, we established three levels of nitrogen application and irrigation in nine treatments in an apple orchard based on a completely randomized block design. Then, we analyzed different apple indicator responses to nitrogen and irrigation and their related interactions. More importantly, we used the multilevel comprehensive fuzzy evaluation value (MFCE) method to combine the weights of all indicators to obtain the comprehensive growth indicators for apples. Finally, we analyzed the effect of nitrogen and irrigation coupling on the comprehensive growth of apples and then determined the optimal interval for nitrogen application and irrigation. The results indicated that an increase in the amount of irrigation was beneficial for apple yield, but excessive nitrogen fertilizer application significantly reduced apple yield. The apple indicators were not sensitive to irrigation and nitrogen application and their related interactions; they were mainly controlled by the apple cultivar. On the other hand, an increase in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer or a reduction in the amount of irrigation could improve apple quality. The results of the comprehensive evaluation showed that the T5 treatment was most beneficial for the comprehensive growth of apples. To obtain the optimal interval for nitrogen application and irrigation more precisely, we used multiple linear regression based on the MFCE values of apples, nitrogen, and irrigation in R language. Nitrogen and irrigation showed a positive effect on the comprehensive growth of apples when the irrigation amount was low. However, nitrogen application and irrigation had a negative effect on the comprehensive growth of apples when the irrigation level was high. After optimization, the optimal nitrogen application and irrigation amounts were 170.5–189.5 kg·hm<sup>−2</sup> and 38.4–42.7 mm, respectively. We recommend using this irrigation and fertilizer management scheme for apple orchards in China’s Loess Plateau. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:20:23Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:20:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-aa981677b4924001b5794b266e7753a42023-11-16T18:23:04ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-01-0115346810.3390/w15030468Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit IndicesShibiao Cai0Bangyu Zheng1Zhiyuan Zhao2Zhaoxia Zheng3Na Yang4Bingnian Zhai5College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaPrecise and efficient fertilizer and irrigation management is critical for apple production in the Loess Plateau, China. In this study, we established three levels of nitrogen application and irrigation in nine treatments in an apple orchard based on a completely randomized block design. Then, we analyzed different apple indicator responses to nitrogen and irrigation and their related interactions. More importantly, we used the multilevel comprehensive fuzzy evaluation value (MFCE) method to combine the weights of all indicators to obtain the comprehensive growth indicators for apples. Finally, we analyzed the effect of nitrogen and irrigation coupling on the comprehensive growth of apples and then determined the optimal interval for nitrogen application and irrigation. The results indicated that an increase in the amount of irrigation was beneficial for apple yield, but excessive nitrogen fertilizer application significantly reduced apple yield. The apple indicators were not sensitive to irrigation and nitrogen application and their related interactions; they were mainly controlled by the apple cultivar. On the other hand, an increase in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer or a reduction in the amount of irrigation could improve apple quality. The results of the comprehensive evaluation showed that the T5 treatment was most beneficial for the comprehensive growth of apples. To obtain the optimal interval for nitrogen application and irrigation more precisely, we used multiple linear regression based on the MFCE values of apples, nitrogen, and irrigation in R language. Nitrogen and irrigation showed a positive effect on the comprehensive growth of apples when the irrigation amount was low. However, nitrogen application and irrigation had a negative effect on the comprehensive growth of apples when the irrigation level was high. After optimization, the optimal nitrogen application and irrigation amounts were 170.5–189.5 kg·hm<sup>−2</sup> and 38.4–42.7 mm, respectively. We recommend using this irrigation and fertilizer management scheme for apple orchards in China’s Loess Plateau.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/3/468<i>Malus pumila</i> Mill.irrigationnitrogencomprehensive evaluationfuzzy algorithmloess plateau |
| spellingShingle | Shibiao Cai Bangyu Zheng Zhiyuan Zhao Zhaoxia Zheng Na Yang Bingnian Zhai Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices Water <i>Malus pumila</i> Mill. irrigation nitrogen comprehensive evaluation fuzzy algorithm loess plateau |
| title | Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices |
| title_full | Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices |
| title_fullStr | Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices |
| title_short | Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management for Apple Cultivation Based on a Multilevel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Yield, Quality, and Profit Indices |
| title_sort | precision nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation management for apple cultivation based on a multilevel comprehensive evaluation method of yield quality and profit indices |
| topic | <i>Malus pumila</i> Mill. irrigation nitrogen comprehensive evaluation fuzzy algorithm loess plateau |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/3/468 |
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