Integrated Effects of Water and Nitrogen Coupling on Eggplant Productivity, Fruit Quality, and Resource Use Efficiency in a Cold and Arid Environment
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Optimizing eggplant cultivation in arid regions requires balancing water and nitrogen. Mild water stress (60-70% field capacity) with moderate nitrogen (270 kg·ha⁻¹) significantly boosts yield, quality, and water-nitrogen use efficiency.
Area Of Science
- Agricultural Science
- Agronomy
- Horticulture
Background
- Eggplant cultivation in arid regions faces challenges related to water and nitrogen management.
- Optimizing water and nitrogen application is crucial for enhancing crop productivity and resource use efficiency in the Hexi Oasis irrigation area.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the effects of varying water stress levels and nitrogen application rates on eggplant yield, quality, and water-nitrogen use efficiency.
- To determine the optimal water and nitrogen management strategy for mulched drip irrigation in cold, arid environments.
Main Methods
- Field experiments were conducted over two years (2022-2023) with three water stress gradients (W1, W2, W3) and three nitrogen levels (N1, N2, N3).
- Water stress was applied during flowering and fruiting stages, while full irrigation was used otherwise.
- The Entropy Weight Method-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (EWM-TOPSIS) model was employed for comprehensive evaluation of treatments.
Main Results
- The mild water stress (W2: 60-70% FC) and medium nitrogen (N2: 270 kg·ha⁻¹) treatment (W2N2) yielded the highest results, significantly outperforming the control.
- W2N2 treatment also led to the highest eggplant transverse diameter, soluble protein, soluble sugar, soluble solids, and vitamin C content.
- Maximum water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency were observed under the W2N2 treatment, showing significant improvements over other treatments and the control.
Conclusions
- Mild water deficit combined with moderate nitrogen application represents the optimal water-nitrogen management strategy for eggplant cultivation under mulched drip irrigation in the Hexi region.
- This optimized approach enhances yield, improves crop quality, and maximizes water and nitrogen use efficiency in cold, arid environments.
- The findings provide a theoretical basis for sustainable and efficient eggplant production in similar climatic conditions.
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