Combined Application of Chemical and Organic Fertilizers: Effects on Yield and Soil Nutrients in Spring Wheat under Drip Irrigation

Abstract

In this study, we established a feasible fertilization programming method for wheat production by exploring the effects of the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers on wheat yield, nutrient uptake, soil nutrient content, and fertilizer utilization. Six treatments, no fertilizer (CK), conventional fertilizer (CF), optimized fertilizer (with reduced fertilizer amount) (RF), chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer extract (RPAE), partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with raw amino acid powder (RAF), and partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with raw humic acid powder (RHF), were set up for a field experiment. The fertilizer application rates for the RF treatment were calculated based on fertilization-monitoring techniques (30.3% nitrogen and 24.8% phosphorus reductions in 2022 and 23.0% nitrogen and 1.5% phosphorus reductions in 2023). The effects of different fertilizer treatments on yield, dry matter accumulation, plant nutrient accumulation, soil nutrients, and nutrient utilization in wheat were investigated. The results showed that, on the basis of 23% nitrogen and 1.5% phosphorus reductions, there was no significant difference in wheat yield between the RF and CF treatments and that the utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer was improved. The application of organic fertilizer promoted dry matter accumulation in different organs of wheat; increased plant nutrient accumulation; improved soil nutrient content, nutrient utilization rate, nutrient partial productivity, and nutrient agronomic use efficiency; and ensured stable and increased crop yield. Specifically, compared with CF, the RPAE, RAF, and RHF organic fertilizer treatments increased wheat yield by 3.85%, 1.97%, and 0.67%, respectively, and the utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers induced by these treatments significantly increased by 40.46%, 39.28%, and 37.46% (nitrogen) and by 9.83%, 8.91%, and 7.46% (phosphorus), respectively. As a result of our experiment, we concluded that RPAE exerted the best effects among the three organic fertilizer treatments (RPAE, RAF, and RHF) and that its use can result in a higher wheat yield and fertilizer utilization rate in drip-irrigated wheat fields. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers, which is conducive to sustainable agriculture development.