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

Author

Listed:
  • Shun Li

    (Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, P.R. China)

  • Zongqing Liu

    (College of Ecological and Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, P.R. China)

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a superior-quality perennial legume forage crop cultivated in China. However, fertiliser applications and the environmental factors affecting alfalfa yield and quality have not been well documented. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis using a dataset from 105 studies published between 2003 and 2023 to explore the effects of fertiliser application and environmental factors on the yield and quality of alfalfa. The results showed that compared to the non-fertiliser control levels, fertiliser application increased alfalfa yield by 24.61% and improved the quality of alfalfa by increasing crude protein by 11.63% and decreasing acid detergent fibre by 7.69% and neutral detergent fibre by 6.76%. Alfalfa yield and the crude protein effect size increased with increasing altitude but decreased with increasing latitude based on fertiliser application. The acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre effect size were positively correlated with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation. In conclusion, applying fertiliser is a productive approach to enhance the yield and grade of alfalfa, but environmental factors have an effect. This study provides comprehensive information on fertiliser applications and environmental factors that affect alfalfa yield and quality. These results provide insight into further improving alfalfa yield and quality and contribute to the development of alfalfa.

Suggested Citation

  • Shun Li & Zongqing Liu, 2024. "Fertilisation and environmental factors affect the yield and quality of alfalfa in China," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(5), pages 276-286.
    • Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:70:y:2024:i:5:id:457-2023-pse
    DOI: 10.17221/457/2023-PSE
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Linlin & Xie, Junhong & Luo, Zhuzhu & Niu, Yining & Coulter, Jeffrey A. & Zhang, Renzhi & Lingling, Li, 2021. "Forage yield, water use efficiency, and soil fertility response to alfalfa growing age in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    2. Viechtbauer, Wolfgang, 2010. "Conducting Meta-Analyses in R with the metafor Package," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 36(i03).
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    Cited by:

    1. Waldemar Zielewicz & Barbara Wróbel, 2025. "Effect of gypsum and potassium fertilisation on the nutritive value of legume-grass mixture," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 71(2), pages 93-108.
    2. Minhua Yin & Yuanbo Jiang & Yi Ling & Yanlin Ma & Guangping Qi & Yanxia Kang & Yayu Wang & Qiang Lu & Yujie Shang & Xiangrong Fan & Gangqiang Han & Boda Li & Jiapeng Zhu & Jinxi Chen & Haiyan Li, 2025. "Optimizing Lucerne Productivity and Resource Efficiency in China’s Yellow River Irrigated Region: Synergistic Effects of Ridge-Film Mulching and Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilization," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Shun Li & Zongqing Liu, 2025. "Optimising sunflower yields: insights from meta-analysis on fertilisation impact and planting strategies for enhanced crop productivity in China," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 71(1), pages 48-57.
    4. repec:caa:jnlpse:v:preprint:id:303-2024-pse is not listed on IDEAS
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    6. Zhou, Huiping & Ding, Xiaowei & Chen, Jiabao & Parsons, David & Han, Liebao, 2025. "Restructuring lucerne planting can improve production and environmental co-benefits in Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

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