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Arid Land Geography ›› 2021, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 838-848.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000–6060.2021.03.26

• Biology and Pedology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Meta-analysis of yield effects of fertilization on alfalfa in China

CAI Lu1(),WANG Linlin2,LUO Zhuzhu1,2(),LI Lingling2,NIU Yining2,CAI Liqun1,2,XIE Junhong2   

  1. 1. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
    2. Gansu Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
  • Received:2020-03-07 Revised:2020-12-24 Online:2021-05-25 Published:2021-06-01
  • Contact: Zhuzhu LUO E-mail:cailu19960517@163.com;luozz@gsau.edu.cn

Abstract:

This paper aims to explore optimal alfalfa fertilizer application in different environments. To this end, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine how fertilization practices affect the yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and how this is impacted by fertilization management and the growth environment. A search of peer-reviewed publications was performed to collect data on the effects of fertilization on the yield of alfalfa grown in China. Specifically, field studies with and without fertilization treatment and with data on forage yield were obtained. A total of 78 publications containing 1031 observations from 61 sites were compiled into a dataset. The articles were selected from a corpus of studies published at home and abroad before May 2019. Key data, fertilizer types, annual precipitation, and soil types were abstracted from the selected articles, and the quantitative effects of fertilizer application on alfalfa yield were studied by meta-analysis. The analyses included a heterogeneity test, comprehensive effect size calculation, publication bias test, and influence factor analysis. Results showed that fertilization could improve alfalfa yields by 15.4%-198.2% because of increased soil nutrition. The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers had an obvious effect on increasing alfalfa yield. Application of a single organic fertilizer significantly increased alfalfa yields compared with that in the control group by 69.9% (P<0.05). The response of alfalfa yield to fertilization varied according to the growth environment. The application of phosphate, potassium, and organic fertilizers should be emphasized during the planting of alfalfa in arid and semi-arid areas. The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers is suitable for application to semi-arid areas, and the alfalfa yield increased by 50.5% (P<0.05). When potassium fertilizer was applied, the alfalfa yield in arid areas significantly increased compared that in the control group by 49.8% (P<0.05). The response of alfalfa yield to fertilization varied according to the soil type. Organic fertilizer was suitable for application to semi-humid areas, and alfalfa yields increased by 70.1% (P<0.05); this increase rate was much higher than that achieved by chemical fertilizer. Azophoska was suitable for application to humid areas, and alfalfa yields increased by 29.2% (P<0.05). Application of organic fertilizer to soils with low nutrient contents, such as chestnut and loessial soils, significantly improved alfalfa yields by 37.2% and 101.9% (P<0.05), respectively. Compared with other types of fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer increased the yield of alfalfa planted in dark loessial soils the most, and the alfalfa yield increased by 183.0% (P<0.05). The application of combined fertilizer was also suitable for saline fluvo-aquic soil, and alfalfa yields increased by 49.6%-50.9% (P<0.05). This increase rate was much higher than that obtained from single fertilization. The effect of chemical fertilizers on alfalfa yield was not significant when the crop was planted in lime concretion black soil. Our results suggest that fertilization enhances alfalfa yield. The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers is an optimal strategy for increasing alfalfa yield. This strategy provides a means for farmers to enhance the sustainability of alfalfa systems through fertilization management.

Key words: alfalfa, feritilizer application, yield, meta-analysis