Characteristics and Validation of a Recommended Fertilization Approach for Lychee Based on Yield Response and Agronomic Efficiency

Qiong Yi; Guoliang Li; Shuanhu Tang; Xu Huang; Yuwan Pang; Mu Zhang

doi:10.7235/HORT.20220033

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2022 Vol.40, Issue 4 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Characteristics and Validation of a Recommended Fertilization Approach for Lychee Based on Yield Response and Agronomic Efficiency

31 August 2022. pp. 361-375

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Abstract

Lychee is one of the most popular tropical fruits in South China. However, excess fertilizer application is reducing soil productivity and lychee production. Little information is available to develop a rational and feasible recommended fertilization approach for lychee. This study aimed to optimize fertilizer management for lychee production with a nutrient recommendation model that simplifies complex principles of fertilization into a user-friendly “nutrient expert (NE)” system. Analyses of extensive database for lychee revealed that the average yield responses (YRs) of lychee to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were 4.2 t ha^-1, 3.0 t ha^-1, and 4.3 t ha^-1, respectively. The average relative yields (RYs) of lychee for N, P, and K were 0.73, 0.80, and 0.77, respectively. The mean values of soil indigenous nutrient supply for N, P, and K were 52.4 kg ha^-1, 5.7 kg ha^-1, and 44.2 kg ha^-1, respectively. The average agronomic efficiencies (AEs) were 15.8 kg N kg^-1, 62.8 kg P kg^-1, and 18.2 kg K kg^-1, respectively. The YR and AE of N, P and K were well fitted by quadratic equations. Significant negative exponential correlations were detected between the YR and the indigenous nutrient supply. A significant negative linear correlation was detected between YR and RY in lychee production. In validation experiments, the NE approach outperformed farmers’ practices in terms of yield, output-input ratio, the net return, and N use efficiency. The NE system is a feasible approach to making fertilization recommendations for small-scale lychee farmers without the need for testing.

Keywords

fertilizer management

indigenous nutrients supply

nitrogen use efficiency

nutrient expert

relative yield

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Information

Publisher :KOREAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
Publisher(Ko) :원예과학기술지
Journal Title :Horticultural Science and Technology
Journal Title(Ko) :원예과학기술지
Volume : 40
No :4
Pages :361-375
Received Date : 2022-03-24
Revised Date : 2022-06-08
Accepted Date : 2022-07-07
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20220033

Horticultural Science and Technology ISSN:1226-8763(Print) 2465-8588(Online) 원예과학기술지

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