Yield and quality improvements in Leymus chinensis following fertiliser application in China: a meta-analysis
Caihong Zhang A # , Hui Gao
A # , Weifan Wan A and Haigang Li A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Soil Quality and Nutrient Resources, Key Laboratory of Grassland Resource, Ministry of Education, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China.
* Correspondence to: haigangli@cau.edu.cn
# These authors contributed equally to this paper
Handling Editor: Christian Huyghe
Crop & Pasture Science 73(6) 704-715 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP21608
Submitted: 18 March 2021 Accepted: 9 December 2021 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: The yield and quality of Leymus chinensis, a major forage resource with high nutritional value, is strongly affected by chemical fertiliser application.
Aims: Comprehensive estimation of the effects of different fertilisation practices on the yield and quality of L. chinensis.
Methods: In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis using 206 valid datasets extracted from 10 studies on L. chinensis growth responses to chemical fertilisation in China.
Key results: Yield increases resulting from fertilisation were higher on alkaline soil with a pH >7.0 and aeolian soil with a coarse texture. Forage yield and quality were also associated with the fertiliser combinations and the fertiliser types. Compared with no fertiliser treatment, the yield increase was higher under NP (NPK) fertiliser application (74.7%; P < 0.05) than N or P fertiliser alone. Application of NP (NPK) fertiliser significantly increased the crude protein content, while N fertiliser reduced the crude fiber content and increased the crude fat content. Moreover, the combined application of macro-and micronutrient fertilisers resulted in a substantial increase in yield and quality. The optimal benefits of fertilisation were achieved in aeolian soil with a pH of 7.9–9.5.
Conclusions: Reasonable selection of fertilisers should therefore, be implemented to ensure high-yielding, high-quality L. chinensis based on local soil conditions in different regions.
Implications: The results of this study provide essential information for the formulation of reasonable fertilisation regimes and sustainable production of L. chinensis.
Keywords: chemical fertilisation, fertiliser combination, fertiliser type, forage quality, forage yield, Leymus chinensis, meta-analysis, soil pH, soil texture.
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