Water and Nitrogen Regulation Effects and System Optimization for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under Film Drip Irrigation in the Dry Zone of Ningxia China

Abstract

Potatoes require water and fertilizer management systems to optimize economic outcomes and fertilizer use, especially in arid areas such as Ningxia, China. In this study, three irrigation quotas (1200 (W1), 1650 (W2), and 2100 (W3) m3/hm2) and three nitrogen application treatments (110 (N1), 190 (N2), and 270 (N3) kg/hm2) were evaluated. Potato growth, final yield, and quality indices were assessed in relation to fertility periods, irrigation utilization efficiency, nitrogen and fertilizer bias productivity, and economic efficiency, using the TOPSIS model. Stem thickness and plant height varied significantly with irrigation and nitrogen treatments; total yield and vitamin C, reducing sugar, and starch contents were the highest under the W3N1, W3N1, W1N2, and W2N3 treatments, increasing by 54.56, 17.00, 69.00, and 45.00%, respectively, compared with those in the control. The regression relationships between water and nitrogen regulation and yield, irrigation water use efficiency, nitrogen fertilizer bias productivity, and economic efficiency agreed with the binary quadratic regression model, and the coefficients of determination (R2) were >0.85. W3N1 was optimal for model yield, nitrogen fertilizer bias productivity, and economic efficiency, and W1N3 was optimal for irrigation water use efficiency. Our findings will help optimize potato management in central Ningxia.

Appropriate Water and Nitrogen Regulation Improves the Production of Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.)

“…These findings are similar to those of Song et al [44], who conducted a study in Qinghai, China, and Ma et al [45], who conducted a study in Ningxia, China, on wolfberry, both indicating that appropriate water deficit and reduced nitrogen application are conducive to stress resistance, and too little or too much water and nitrogen inputs are not conducive to crop growth [46]. Similar to the findings of Zhang et al [47], who conducted research on spinach in Shanghai, China, and Yang et al [48], who conducted studies on potatoes in Ningxia, China, this study also concluded that the interaction of water regulation and nitrogen application levels significantly affected plant height and stem diameter growth amount in wolfberry. This was mainly because an adequate water and nitrogen ratio can provide a suitable moisture and nutrient-rich environment for crop growth and development [49,50].…”

Seasonal Variation of Water Quality of Taiping Lake in Eastern China

“…Like TP, total nitrogen (TN) is also an important water quality parameter for investigating eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs [21]. TN represents the combination of various organic and inorganic nitrogen species into a single measure [22]. As seen in Fig.…”

Optimizing Irrigation and Fertilization to Simultaneously Improve Potato Tuber Yield, Water and Fertilizer Use Efficiency and Net Income in Northwest China

“…When crops suffered from drought stress during the growth period, the antioxidant enzyme system was activated to protect cells from oxidative damage, causing blockage of primary metabolite synthesis pathways and insufficient raw materials for secondary metabolite synthesis, which led to yield reduction [41]. However, reasonable soil moisture increased potato root vigor and enlarged the root-soil contact area, which improved the metabolic rate of the crop [42]. In addition, appropriate irrigation significantly reduced plant canopy temperature, increased environmental humidity, reduced soil moisture loss from evaporation, and alleviated drought stress during the whole growth period, which ultimately promoted crop yield formation [43].…”