Abstract
Isatis indigotica planting is the backbone of the medicinal industry in Hexi Oasis, Gansu. In order to solve the problems insufficient water resources and excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer in this area, this paper explored the irrigation and nitrogen levels that can meet the multiple goals of Isatis indigotica. The two-factor split-plot field experiment (2018‒2019) was conducted in Minle County, Gansu Province, China, which contains 9 treatments. There were three levels of irrigation water: W1(low), W2(medium), and W3(high). The soil moisture contents were 60–70%, 70–80%, and 80–90% of the field water-holding capacity, respectively. The nitrogen application rate was classified into three levels, N1(low), N2(medium) and N3(high), which were 150, 200 and 250 kg N/ha, respectively. The standard local irrigation water amount and nitrogen application rate corresponded to W3N3. The results showed that the yield of Isatis indigotica increased first and then decreased with the increase of irrigation amount and nitrogen application rate, the yield of W2N2 is 12.2–17.1% higher than that of W1N1, the yield of W3N3 was 12.1–17.5% lower than that of W2N2. Saving water and reducing nitrogen can improve the quality of Isatis indigotica, compared with W3N3, the indigo, indirubin, (R,S)-epigoitrin and polysaccharides of W2N2 increased by 4.5–5.9%, 2.7–3.1%, 5.2–6.0%, and 1.8–2.1%, respectively. With the increase of nitrogen application rate, the water use efficiency (WUE) first increased and then decreased, as the irrigation volume increases, WUE decreases. Compared with W3N3, the WUE of W2N2 increased by 24.3–27.2%. With the increase of water input, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NUE) first increased and then decreased, as the nitrogen application rate increases, NUE decreases. Compared with W3N3, the NUE of W2W2 increased by 31.8–34.5%. Therefore, W2N2 can improve quality and increase water and nitrogen utilization efficiency on the basis of ensuring yield.
Highlights
Isatis indigotica planting is the backbone of the medicinal industry in Hexi Oasis, Gansu
It is necessary to study the changes in the yield and quality of Isatis indigotica and its water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NUE) under water saving and nitrogen reducing cultivation conditions in Hexi Oasis, this would be beneficial to implementing a water-saving, low-nitrogen, environmentally friendly and efficient way to produce Isatis indigotica, this is conducive to the realization of the healthy and sustainable development of the Isatis indigotica
Optimizing the water and nitrogen management system used in the production of Isatis indigotica, reducing water waste and production costs, improving WUE and NUE, and developing water-saving, nitrogen-reducing, high-efficiency and environmentally friendly production models are of vital importance to the sustainable development of agriculture
Summary
Isatis indigotica planting is the backbone of the medicinal industry in Hexi Oasis, Gansu. It is necessary to study the changes in the yield and quality of Isatis indigotica and its WUE and NUE under water saving and nitrogen reducing cultivation conditions in Hexi Oasis, this would be beneficial to implementing a water-saving, low-nitrogen, environmentally friendly and efficient way to produce Isatis indigotica, this is conducive to the realization of the healthy and sustainable development of the Isatis indigotica. The results have shown that compared with traditional irrigation and fertilization methods, water-saving and nitrogen-reducing methods can increase crop yield and effectively improve WUE and NUE. Optimizing the water and nitrogen management system used in the production of Isatis indigotica, reducing water waste and production costs, improving WUE and NUE, and developing water-saving, nitrogen-reducing, high-efficiency and environmentally friendly production models are of vital importance to the sustainable development of agriculture. The optimal combination of irrigation water amount and nitrogen application rate to achieve high yield and high-quality Isatis indigotica with high WUE and NUE was identified. This study provides a scientific basis for water-saving, low-nitrogen production modes for Isatis indigotica in Hexi Oasis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
