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Optimizing Lucerne Productivity and Resource Efficiency in China’s Yellow River Irrigated Region: Synergistic Effects of Ridge-Film Mulching and Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilization

Author

Listed:
  • Minhua Yin

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Yuanbo Jiang

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Yi Ling

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Yanlin Ma

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Guangping Qi

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Yanxia Kang

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Yayu Wang

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Qiang Lu

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Yujie Shang

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Xiangrong Fan

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Gangqiang Han

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Boda Li

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Jiapeng Zhu

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Jinxi Chen

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

  • Haiyan Li

    (College of Water Conservancy and Hydrpower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China)

Abstract

To address low productivity and water constraints in lucerne fields of China’s Gansu Yellow River Irrigation Region, this study optimized lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.) cultivation through synergistic planting nitrogen regimes. A two-year field trial (2021–2022) evaluated three systems: ridge-furrow with ordinary mulch (PM), ridge-furrow with biodegradable mulch (BM), and conventional flat planting (FP), under four controlled-release N rates (0, 80, 160, 240 kg ha −1 ). Multidimensional assessments included growth dynamics, dry matter yield, forage quality (crude protein [CP], acid/neutral detergent fiber [ADF/NDF], relative feed value [RFV]), and resource efficiency metrics (water use efficiency [WUE], irrigation WUE [IWUE], partial factor productivity of N [PFPN], agronomic N use efficiency [ANUE]). The results showed the following: (1) Compared with conventional flat planting, ridge planting with film mulching significantly promoted lucerne growth, with ordinary plastic film providing a stronger effect than biodegradable film. Plant height and stem diameter exhibited a quadratic response to elevated nitrogen (N) application rates under identical planting patterns, peaking at intermediate N levels before declining with further increases. (2) Ridge planting with both ordinary plastic film and biodegradable film combined with an appropriate N rate improved lucerne yield and quality. In particular, the PMN2 treatment reached the highest value of yield (14,600 kg ha −1 ), CP (19.19%) and RFV (124.18), and the lowest value of ADF (29.63%) and NDF (48.86%), and all of them were significantly better than the other treatments ( p < 0.05). (3) WUE, IWUE, PFPN, and ANUE followed the pattern PM > BM > FP. With increasing N application rates, WUE, IWUE, and ANUE initially rose and then declined, peaking under N2, whereas PFPN showed a decreasing trend and reached its maximum under N1. Principal component analysis revealed that ridge planting with ordinary plastic film combined with 160 kg·ha −1 N (PMN2) optimized lucerne performance, achieving balanced improvements in yield, forage quality, and water–nitrogen use efficiency. This regimen is recommended as the optimal strategy for lucerne cultivation in the Gansu Yellow River Irrigation Region and analogous ecoregions.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:8:p:845-:d:1634223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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