Adjusting fertilization depth for sustainable potato production in arid and semi-arid regions
Li Z. Wang Y. Shi N. Yuan Y. Wei L. Shan W. Meruyert M. Assiya A. Jia Z. Siddique K.H.M. Ding R. Wu P. Fan S. Liu J. Meng Y. Zhang P.
1 March 2026Elsevier B.V.
Field Crops Research
2026#337
Context: Nitrogen management is pivotal for attaining sustainable agricultural development in the future. Among the array of mitigation strategies, deep fertilization emerges as a promising approach to address the multifaceted challenges associated with agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and social demands. Objective: This study seeks to comprehensively assess the effects of deep nitrogen fertilization on potato productivity, environmental footprint, ecological and social costs and benefits. The findings are Intended to provide furnish an actionable guidance for advancing sustainable potato production in Northwest China. Methods: Field experiments were conducted over three consecutive years (2021–2023) at four representative sites spanning two typical climatic zones in Northwest China: the arid region (Ganzhou and Yongchang—Site 1 and Site 2) and the semi-arid region (Anding and Jingning—Site 3 and Site 4). All trials were integrated into local mainstream potato cultivation practices, with drip irrigation applied at Sites 1, 2, and 3, whereas Site 4 was cultivated under rain-fed cultivations. Four nitrogen fertilization depths were investigated: D5 (5 cm), D15 (15 cm), D25 (25 cm), and D35 (35 cm), to assess the effects of nitrogen placement depth on multiple performance indicators. Results: In arid region, the lowest nitrogen footprint (NF) and carbon footprint (CF), as well as the highest yield, N-derived potato tuber yield (YN), N-Partial factor productivity (PFPN), private profitability (BP), ecological benefits (BE) and social benefits (BS) were observed when the fertilization depth was 15 cm, while the best performance was observed at 25 cm in semi-arid region. In addition, when the fertilization depth is 35 cm, the ecological cost (Ecost) and social cost (Scost) in arid and semi-arid regions are the lowest. Compared with the conventional fertilization depth (D5) in the northwest region, the NF, CF, Ecost and Scost were significantly reduced by 14.8–34.2 %, 7.1–20.6 %, 15.0–19.7 % and 20.1–25.1 % when the optimal treatment depth was adjusted, and the yield, YN, PFPN, BP, BE and BS were significantly increased by 4.7–22.2 %, 10.2–42.8 %, 4.7–22.2 %, 10.4–86.7 %, 10.9–88.4 % and 11.8–92.5 %. The regression analysis revealed a clear spatial pattern: the optimal fertilization depth for maximizing productivity, minimizing environmental footprint, optimizing cost and benefit was generally shallower in arid areas compared to the semi-arid area, and shallower in the drip irrigation area than in the rain-fed area (with the exception of cost). Conclusions: Based on the comprehensive evaluation of productivity, environmental impacts, and economic and social outcomes, we recommend adjusting the fertilization depths to approximately 18.0 cm for Site 1, 13.3 cm for Site 2, 20.2 cm for Site 3, and 22.9 cm for Site 4. These adjustments are expected to enhance potato productivity and overall benefits.
Arid and semi-arid regions , C and N footprint , Deep fertilization , Potato productivity , Sustainability assessment
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College of Agronomy/State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi, Yangling, 712100, China
Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology, Ecology and Tillage Science in Northwestern Loess Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shaanxi, Yangling, 712100, China
Akhmet Baitursynuly Kostanay Regional University, Kostanay, 110000, Kazakhstan
The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA6001, Australia
College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
College of Biological and Food Engineering, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, China
State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
College of Agronomy/State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production
Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology
Akhmet Baitursynuly Kostanay Regional University
The UWA Institute of Agriculture
College of Agriculture
College of Biological and Food Engineering
State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding
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