Comprehensive effects of plastic film mulching and combined application of water and nitrogen on photosynthetic characteristics, yield formation, and water-nitrogen use efficiency of citrus
- 1School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power
- 2Soil and Water Conservation Supervision Bureau in the contiguous areas of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia
- 3College of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University
Abstract
Introduction: Citrus production in western Hubei, a subtropical region of central China, is constrained by seasonal water scarcity and excessive nitrogen application, creating a major challenge in reducing water and nitrogen inputs while maintaining yield stability and improving resource-use efficiency. Moreover, how different mulching materials modulate citrus responses under deficit irrigation and reduced nitrogen application remains unclear. Therefore, a multifactor field experiment integrating mulching type, irrigation, and nitrogen application was conducted to evaluate their combined effects on citrus photosynthetic traits, yield formation, water-use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP).
Methods: The field experiment was conducted in Zhijiang, Hubei Province, China, in 2023 and 2024 using an L9(3 ⁴ ) orthogonal design, incorporating three irrigation levels (W1: 80% θf - 90% θf ; W2: 70% θf - 80% θf ; W3: 60% θf - 70% θf , where θf denotes field capacity, defined as the soil water content retained after gravitational water has drained from fully wetted soil), three nitrogen rates (N1: 80% N0; N2: 70% N0; N3: 60% N0, where N0 = 300 kg·ha ⁻¹ ), and three mulching materials (M1: white transparent film; M2: black opaque film; M3: silver-black double-color reflective film).
Results: (1) Irrigation amount (W) and nitrogen rate (N) were the primary factors influencing the measured variables, whereas mulching material (M) had a comparatively smaller effect. The main effects of all three factors were significant for most variables ( P < 0.05). Interaction analyses indicated significant W × M and N × M effects on most variables, whereas W × N effects were comparatively limited. (2) As water and nitrogen supply decreased, Pn, Tr, Gs, and CE declined concurrently. Compared with T1 (W1N1M1), Pn decreased by 1.02%–24.36% under the other treatments. Ci declined in parallel with Pn under W1 and W2 but increased under W3. Fruit number and single-fruit weight responded differently to irrigation, nitrogen application, and mulching, The two variables reached their highest values under T1 and T5, respectively, and were significantly higher than their corresponding values under all W3 treatments ( P < 0.05). (3) Using the criterion that yield, WUE, and NPFP each reached at least 90% of its respective maximum, the model-estimated suitable water and nitrogen ranges within the experimental domain were M1 (W = 687–800 mm, N = 180–208 kg·ha ⁻¹ ), M2 (W = 706–740 mm, N = 219–237 kg·ha ⁻¹ ), and M3 (W = 776–800 mm, N = 205–226 kg·ha ⁻¹ ). (4) Path analysis and PLS-PM yielded positive path coefficients from irrigation, nitrogen application, and mulching material to photosynthetic traits ( β = 0.87, 0.33, and 0.05, respectively), from photosynthetic traits to growth indicators ( β = 0.93), and from growth indicators to yield ( β = 0.78). Fruit number had a greater path coefficient for yield than single-fruit weight.
Discussion: These findings provide a theoretical basis and quantitative practical references for the selection of mulching materials and precise water-nitrogen management in citrus under deficit irrigation and reduced nitrogen fertilization in Western Hubei.
Related
- Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Formation Mechanisms of Uranium‐rich Groundwater in the Bayanwula Area, Inner Mongolia, China
- Effects of biochar co-application with urea on nitrogen losses, rice yield, and nitrogen agronomic efficiency in rice production system
- Nitrogen management in rainfed castor: a comprehensive analysis of productivity, nutrient use efficiency, economics, energy flow, and carbon footprint
- The role of brittle shear zones and the associated fractures in the formation and characteristics of bedrock surface depressions in crystalline bedrock (Turku, southwestern Finland)
- Investigation of VOC emission characteristics of light-duty gasoline vehicles and combustion-side formation mechanisms of key VOC species
BibTeX
@article{gu2026comprehensive,
title = {{Comprehensive effects of plastic film mulching and combined application of water and nitrogen on photosynthetic characteristics, yield formation, and water-nitrogen use efficiency of citrus}},
author = {Hongmei Gu and Ping Li and Mengyuan Deng and Yun Zhong and Yuliang Fu and Songlin Wang},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1963480},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1963480/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comprehensive effects of plastic film mulching and combined application of water and nitrogen on photosynthetic characteristics, yield formation, and water-nitrogen use efficiency of citrus
AU - Hongmei Gu
AU - Ping Li
AU - Mengyuan Deng
AU - Yun Zhong
AU - Yuliang Fu
AU - Songlin Wang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1963480
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1963480/full
AB - Introduction: Citrus production in western Hubei, a subtropical region of central China, is constrained by seasonal water scarcity and excessive nitrogen application, creating a major challenge in reducing water and nitrogen inputs while maintaining yield stability and improving resource-use efficiency. Moreover, how different mulching materials modulate citrus responses under deficit irrigation and reduced nitrogen application remains unclear. Therefore, a multifactor field experiment integrating mulching type, irrigation, and nitrogen application was conducted to evaluate their combined effects on citrus photosynthetic traits, yield formation, water-use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP). Methods: The field experiment was conducted in Zhijiang, Hubei Province, China, in 2023 and 2024 using an L9(3 ⁴ ) orthogonal design, incorporating three irrigation levels (W1: 80% θf - 90% θf ; W2: 70% θf - 80% θf ; W3: 60% θf - 70% θf , where θf denotes field capacity, defined as the soil water content retained after gravitational water has drained from fully wetted soil), three nitrogen rates (N1: 80% N0; N2: 70% N0; N3: 60% N0, where N0 = 300 kg·ha ⁻¹ ), and three mulching materials (M1: white transparent film; M2: black opaque film; M3: silver-black double-color reflective film). Results: (1) Irrigation amount (W) and nitrogen rate (N) were the primary factors influencing the measured variables, whereas mulching material (M) had a comparatively smaller effect. The main effects of all three factors were significant for most variables ( P < 0.05). Interaction analyses indicated significant W × M and N × M effects on most variables, whereas W × N effects were comparatively limited. (2) As water and nitrogen supply decreased, Pn, Tr, Gs, and CE declined concurrently. Compared with T1 (W1N1M1), Pn decreased by 1.02%–24.36% under the other treatments. Ci declined in parallel with Pn under W1 and W2 but increased under W3. Fruit number and single-fruit weight responded differently to irrigation, nitrogen application, and mulching, The two variables reached their highest values under T1 and T5, respectively, and were significantly higher than their corresponding values under all W3 treatments ( P < 0.05). (3) Using the criterion that yield, WUE, and NPFP each reached at least 90% of its respective maximum, the model-estimated suitable water and nitrogen ranges within the experimental domain were M1 (W = 687–800 mm, N = 180–208 kg·ha ⁻¹ ), M2 (W = 706–740 mm, N = 219–237 kg·ha ⁻¹ ), and M3 (W = 776–800 mm, N = 205–226 kg·ha ⁻¹ ). (4) Path analysis and PLS-PM yielded positive path coefficients from irrigation, nitrogen application, and mulching material to photosynthetic traits ( β = 0.87, 0.33, and 0.05, respectively), from photosynthetic traits to growth indicators ( β = 0.93), and from growth indicators to yield ( β = 0.78). Fruit number had a greater path coefficient for yield than single-fruit weight. Discussion: These findings provide a theoretical basis and quantitative practical references for the selection of mulching materials and precise water-nitrogen management in citrus under deficit irrigation and reduced nitrogen fertilization in Western Hubei.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -