Effects of nitrogen application on alfalfa yield and quality in China-A Meta-analysis

doi:10.11686/cyxb2022127

Abstract

Abstract:

Nitrogen plays an important role in the yield accumulation and quality improvement of alfalfa. However， supra-optimal nitrogen application to alfalfa crops not only causes a waste of nitrogen resource， but also aggravates environmental pollution. Additionally， the effect of nitrogen application on alfalfa production varies with different regional conditions and management practices. In this study， we searched the peer-reviewed papers reporting the effects of nitrogen application on alfalfa yield and quality， and quantitatively investigated the effect using meta-analysis. It was found that compared with no nitrogen application， nitrogen application significantly improved the yield and quality of alfalfa， and the mean increase in yield and crude protein content was， respectively， 12.6% （with a confidence interval of 9.0% to 16.2%） and 7.3% （with a confidence interval of 4.1% to 10.6%）， and the mean decrease in acid and neutral detergent fiber contents was， respectively， 5.6% （with a confidence interval of 3.5% to 7.8%） and 3.0% （with a confidence interval of 1.0% to 4.9%）. The effect of nitrogen application of increasing alfalfa yield and crude protein content and decreasing acid and neutral detergent fiber content was more pronounced in Gansu， in regions with an annual average temperature of <8 ℃ and an annual average precipitation of 200-400 mm， when using ammonium nitrate in split dressings with part as base fertilizer and part as top dressing， with irrigation， and with sowing rates of 26 to 30 kg·ha^-1. However， there were differences in yield and quality for suitable nitrogen application rates and planting year. This study can provide a reference for the improvement of alfalfa productivity and the efficient utilization of nitrogen nutrition.

Key words: nitrogen application, yield, quality, alfalfa, Meta-analysis

Min-hua YIN, Yan-lin MA, Yan-xia KANG, Qiong JIA, Guang-ping QI, Jing-hai WANG. Effects of nitrogen application on alfalfa yield and quality in China-A Meta-analysis[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(9): 36-49.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig.1 Frequency distribution of alfalfa yield and quality with or without nitrogen application

Fig.2 Regional changes of alfalfa yield and quality

Table 1 Comprehensive effect size of nitrogen application on yield and quality of alfalfa

指标 Index	模型 Model	提高（降低）率 Increase （decrease） rate （%）	95%置信区间 95% CI （%）		效应量检验 Effect size test		异质性检验 Heterogeneity test		发表偏倚检验 Publication test
指标 Index	模型 Model	提高（降低）率 Increase （decrease） rate （%）	下限LL	上限UL	Z	P	Q	P_Q	Z_B	P_B
产量Yield	随机效应模型REM	12.6	9.0	16.2	7.17	0.000	8829810	0.000	-0.246	0.806
粗蛋白含量CP content	随机效应模型REM	7.3	4.1	10.6	4.62	0.000	9532	0.000	-0.408	0.683
酸性洗涤纤维含量ADF content	随机效应模型REM	-5.6	-7.8	-3.5	-5.03	0.000	750	0.000	-0.874	0.382
中性洗涤纤维含量NDF content	随机效应模型REM	-3.0	-4.9	-1.0	-3.00	0.003	511	0.000	-1.241	0.215

Fig.3 Inverted funnel by publication bias test

Fig.4 Analysis of factors affecting alfalfa yield with nitrogen application

Fig.5 Analysis of factors affecting crude protein content of alfalfa with nitrogen application

Fig.6 Analysis of factors affecting acid detergent fiber content of alfalfa with nitrogen application

Fig.7 Analysis of factors affecting neutral detergent fiber content of alfalfa with nitrogen application

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