Drip irrigation with organic fertilizer application improved soil quality and fruit yield

Abstract

Irrigation and fertilization management are important for controlling agricultural soil salinity and increasing productivity in extremely arid regions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of long‐term drip irrigation and organic fertilizer application on soil salinity, fruit quality and yield of jujube [Ziziphus ziziphus (L.) Karst]. We established a 7‐yr field experiment in a desert‐oasis area in Northwest China. Six treatments were performed: CK (conventional irrigation, no fertilizer), CIMF (conventional irrigation, mineral fertilizer), CIOF (conventional irrigation, organic fertilizer), DI (drip irrigation, no fertilizer), DIMF (drip irrigation, mineral fertilizer), and DIOF (drip irrigation, organic fertilizer). The results showed that soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration in soil treated with organic fertilizer increased gradually over years. Treatment DIOF favored the accumulation of SOC with the highest content and stock after 7 yr. Lower salt content in root zone was found in DIOF after 7 yr. The yield of DIOF increased annually and reached an equilibrium level after the fourth year (14.88 to 16.69 Mg ha−1). Total carbohydrate and vitamin C (Vc) of DIOF of fruit were all significantly higher than CIOF and DIMF. The boosted regression tree showed that SOC content had the highest relative contribution rate to jujube yield. Path analysis identified the most important factor affecting SOC in the drip‐fertigation system was the input of organic fertilizer, with path coefficient 0.65. Long‐term combination of drip irrigation and organic fertilizer application would be an effective strategy maintaining productivity and improve fruit quality in extremely arid areas.

Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) Productivity, Proximal Composition and Soil Parameters as Affected by Planting Time and Agronomic Management in a Semi-Arid Region of India

“…Our findings are consistent with previous research [56]. Increases in macronutrient and micronutrient contents in the irrigated and fertilized plots were probably due to the combined effect of irrigation and fertilizer, which might have promoted the conversion of crop residues to SOC and growth of the microbial population [55,57]. Overall, the short-term application of a combination of irrigation and fertilizer could promote microbial activity, SOC buildup and nutritional status of cactus pear.…”

“…In the current study, the decrease in soil pH might be related to the soil conditions or to the acidifying effect of manure application [53,54]. In a short-term study (7 years), Li et al [55] observed a 10% decrease in soil pH and a 44.19% increase in SOC under drip irrigation with organic fertilizer treatment compared to before the treatments commenced.…”

Welfare Impact of Organic Fertilizer Adoption: Empirical Evidence From Nigeria

“…The differences for all outcomes are 12.8, 11.8, and 23.5% higher for per-capita outcomes of house, food, and asset, respectively. This may be due to the high humidity and rainfall pattern in the southern region as organic manure requires adequate water in activating essential nutrients, controlling salinity (Li et al, 2020).…”

Organic fertigation system in saline‐sodic soils: A new paradigm for the restoration of soil health

“…F. Li et al. (2020) conducted a 7‐yr study on drip irrigation and organic fertigation. They conclude that organic fertigation with drip irrigation is the best strategy for obtaining higher productivity and improving fruit quality in arid zones for optimum market crop production.…”

“…Drip irrigation and organic fertigation are gaining momentum in saline‐sodic soils, particularly under low‐rainfall areas. They contribute to soil and food quality (F. Li et al., 2020). In addition, liquid biofertilizers are more easily absorbed by the soil than solids and produce crop yields comparable to conventional farming (de Lima et al., 2020).…”