Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis

[Objective] Soil acidification, structure and fertility degradation and poor water-holding capacities are common problems in the apple orchard on the Loess Plateau, effective soil improvement techniques are crucial for enhancing soil quality, and promoting the healthy and sustainable development of...

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Main Authors: DUAN Shunxia, LIU Jiayuan, ZHAO Hongxiang, LI Yangyang
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Editorial Department of Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 2024-12-01
Series:Shuitu Baochi Xuebao
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Online Access:http://stbcxb.alljournal.com.cn/stbcxben/article/abstract/20240632
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author DUAN Shunxia
LIU Jiayuan
ZHAO Hongxiang
LI Yangyang
author_facet DUAN Shunxia
LIU Jiayuan
ZHAO Hongxiang
LI Yangyang
author_sort DUAN Shunxia
collection DOAJ
description [Objective] Soil acidification, structure and fertility degradation and poor water-holding capacities are common problems in the apple orchard on the Loess Plateau, effective soil improvement techniques are crucial for enhancing soil quality, and promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the orchards. [Methods] Based on 75 publications and 1 302 field trial datasets on soil improvement in the apple orchards of the Loess Plateau, meta-analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to quantitatively evaluate the effects of different improvement measures, including mulching, fertilization, and soil conditioners, on soil quality. [Results] The results indicated that grass mulching, plastic film mulching, straw mulching, and gravel mulching effectively reduced soil bulk density by 6.63%, 5.96%, 6.04%, and 6.40%, respectively. Additionally, grass mulching and straw mulching also significantly increased soil nutrient contents. Chemical fertilizer effectively increased available nitrogen (by 111.17%), available phosphorus (by 112.29%), and available potassium (by 43.95%), respectively. Organic fertilizer not only increased soil available nutrients, but also significantly increased soil organic matter (by 57.19%), total nitrogen (by 57.64%), and nitrate-nitrogen (by 94.51%). Combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer significantly reduced soil bulk density (5.58%) and increased nutrient contents. Water-retaining agents effectively reduced soil bulk density (by 4.88%), increased total nitrogen (by 40.90%) and nitrate-nitrogen (by 143.51%). Biochar significantly increased soil organic matter (by 39.35%), nitrate-nitrogen (by 91.23%), and available phosphorus (by 89.70%). Soil quality assessment results indicated that soil quality index (SQI) ranked as 7.72 (organic fertilizer) > 7.68 (straw mulching) > 7.20 (organic-inorganic fertilizer) > 6.05 (water-retaining agent) > 5.99 (grass mulching) > 5.94 (biochar) > 5.79 (chemical fertilizer) > 3.53 (plastic film mulching) > 2.63 (gravel mulching). [Conclusion] Considering the practical conditions of soil quality and apple orchards yields, it is suggested that straw mulching and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer should be prioritized as measures to improve orchard soil quality, followed by organic fertilizers and grass mulching.
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institution Kabale University
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language zho
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Editorial Department of Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
record_format Article
series Shuitu Baochi Xuebao
spelling doaj-art-86417d06d4d743f6af2310891529e2fa2025-02-10T07:24:20ZzhoEditorial Department of Journal of Soil and Water ConservationShuitu Baochi Xuebao1009-22422024-12-0138630230910.13870/j.cnki.stbcxb.2024.06.0111009-2242-(2024)06-0302-08Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-AnalysisDUAN Shunxia0LIU Jiayuan1ZHAO Hongxiang2LI Yangyang3The Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, ChinaInstitute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China[Objective] Soil acidification, structure and fertility degradation and poor water-holding capacities are common problems in the apple orchard on the Loess Plateau, effective soil improvement techniques are crucial for enhancing soil quality, and promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the orchards. [Methods] Based on 75 publications and 1 302 field trial datasets on soil improvement in the apple orchards of the Loess Plateau, meta-analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to quantitatively evaluate the effects of different improvement measures, including mulching, fertilization, and soil conditioners, on soil quality. [Results] The results indicated that grass mulching, plastic film mulching, straw mulching, and gravel mulching effectively reduced soil bulk density by 6.63%, 5.96%, 6.04%, and 6.40%, respectively. Additionally, grass mulching and straw mulching also significantly increased soil nutrient contents. Chemical fertilizer effectively increased available nitrogen (by 111.17%), available phosphorus (by 112.29%), and available potassium (by 43.95%), respectively. Organic fertilizer not only increased soil available nutrients, but also significantly increased soil organic matter (by 57.19%), total nitrogen (by 57.64%), and nitrate-nitrogen (by 94.51%). Combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer significantly reduced soil bulk density (5.58%) and increased nutrient contents. Water-retaining agents effectively reduced soil bulk density (by 4.88%), increased total nitrogen (by 40.90%) and nitrate-nitrogen (by 143.51%). Biochar significantly increased soil organic matter (by 39.35%), nitrate-nitrogen (by 91.23%), and available phosphorus (by 89.70%). Soil quality assessment results indicated that soil quality index (SQI) ranked as 7.72 (organic fertilizer) > 7.68 (straw mulching) > 7.20 (organic-inorganic fertilizer) > 6.05 (water-retaining agent) > 5.99 (grass mulching) > 5.94 (biochar) > 5.79 (chemical fertilizer) > 3.53 (plastic film mulching) > 2.63 (gravel mulching). [Conclusion] Considering the practical conditions of soil quality and apple orchards yields, it is suggested that straw mulching and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer should be prioritized as measures to improve orchard soil quality, followed by organic fertilizers and grass mulching.http://stbcxb.alljournal.com.cn/stbcxben/article/abstract/20240632meta-analysissoil quality assessmentmulchingfertilizationsoil amendment
spellingShingle DUAN Shunxia
LIU Jiayuan
ZHAO Hongxiang
LI Yangyang
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis
Shuitu Baochi Xuebao
meta-analysis
soil quality assessment
mulching
fertilization
soil amendment
title Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis
title_full Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis
title_short Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Soil Improvement Measures in Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau: A Meta-Analysis
title_sort evaluation of the effectiveness of soil improvement measures in apple orchards on the loess plateau a meta analysis
topic meta-analysis
soil quality assessment
mulching
fertilization
soil amendment
url http://stbcxb.alljournal.com.cn/stbcxben/article/abstract/20240632
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AT liujiayuan evaluationoftheeffectivenessofsoilimprovementmeasuresinappleorchardsontheloessplateauametaanalysis
AT zhaohongxiang evaluationoftheeffectivenessofsoilimprovementmeasuresinappleorchardsontheloessplateauametaanalysis
AT liyangyang evaluationoftheeffectivenessofsoilimprovementmeasuresinappleorchardsontheloessplateauametaanalysis