Yield and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to fertilizer application in China: A meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionIn China, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) often grows in marginal land with poor soil fertility and suboptimal climate conditions. Alfalfa production cannot meet demands both in yield and quality. It is necessary to apply fertilizers to achieve high yields and produce high-quality alfalfa in China. However, there is no understanding on the impact of fertilizer application on alfalfa production and the possible optimal application rates across China.MethodsWe conducted a meta-analysis to explore the contribution of fertilizer application to the yield and quality of alfalfa based on a dataset from 86 studies published between 2004 and 2022.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that fertilizer application not only increased alfalfa yield by 19.2% but also improved alfalfa quality by increasing crude protein (CP) by 7.7% and decreasing acid detergent fibre by 2.9% and neutral detergent fibre by 1.8% overall compared to the non-fertilizer control levels. The combined nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and combined NP fertilizer applications achieved the greatest yield and CP concentration increases of 27.0% and 13.5%, respectively. Considering both yield and quality, the optimal rate of fertilizer application ranged from 30 to 60 kg ha-1 for N, 120 to 150 kg ha-1 for P and less than 120 kg ha-1 for K. Meta-analysis further showed that the effect of fertilizer application on yield was greater in low soil organic matter (SOM) soils than in high SOM soils. In conclusion, fertilizer application is an effective strategy to improve the yield and quality of alfalfa in China, especially that grown in low SOM soils. This study is helpful for optimizing fertilization schedules of alfalfa in China.

Alfalfa growth and nitrogen fixation constraints in salt-affected soils are in part offset by increased nitrogen supply

“…The low cell wall and lignin concentrations caused by salt addition are responsible for the decreased ADF and NDF ( Oliveira et al., 2020 ). A meta-analysis showed that the CP concentration of alfalfa increases with N supply, which is due to the higher activity of key enzymes for N metabolism ( Geisseler et al., 2010 ; Wan et al., 2022 ). However, N supply did not change the CP concentration of alfalfa in this study ( Figure 6D ).…”

A dataset for estimating alfalfa leaf area and predicting leaf area index

“…Feeding alfalfa can substantially improve animal’s growth, reproduction, meat and milk production ( Laroche et al., 2022 ; Ma et al., 2022 ; Motsinger, 2022 ). Alfalfa is currently the most commonly cultivated forage crop in China ( Wan et al., 2022 ). Ningxia is located in the northwest agricultural and pastoral ecotone in China.…”

Fertilisation and environmental factors affect the yield and quality of alfalfa in China

“…Reasonable fertilisation management and timely supplements of nutrients deficient in the soil (Bahulikar et al 2020 increase the yield and quality of alfalfa (Wei et al 2018). Fertilisation is a direct approach to improve the yield and quality of alfalfa (Fang et al 2021, Wan et al 2022. Many studies have explored the effects of fertiliser applications on the yield and quality of alfalfa (Fang et al 2021, Wan et al 2022).…”

“…Fertilisation is a direct approach to improve the yield and quality of alfalfa (Fang et al 2021, Wan et al 2022. Many studies have explored the effects of fertiliser applications on the yield and quality of alfalfa (Fang et al 2021, Wan et al 2022). However, the results have varied substantially or were contradictory due to differences in cuttings, cultivars, water supply, soil, and environmental factors.Applying fertiliser significantly increases alfalfa quality (Wan et al 2022), and alfalfa crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) reflect its nutritional quality…”

“…Fertilisation is a direct approach to improve the yield and quality of alfalfa (Fang et al 2021, Wan et al 2022. Many studies have explored the effects of fertiliser applications on the yield and quality of alfalfa (Fang et al 2021, Wan et al 2022). However, the results have varied substantially or were contradictory due to differences in cuttings, cultivars, water supply, soil, and environmental factors.…”