In the heart of China’s Inner Mongolia region, a groundbreaking study is shedding new light on how fertilization treatments can boost the growth and productivity of Malus Jinxiu, a valuable fruit tree with significant economic and ecological benefits. The research, published in *Guoshu xuebao* and led by LI Hengkai from the College of Energy and Transportation Engineering at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, offers promising insights for the agriculture sector, particularly for fruit growers seeking to optimize their yields and resource use efficiency.
Malus Jinxiu, a key component of the characteristic forestry and fruit industry in Xing’an League, is prized for its rich nutritional profile and unique medicinal properties. However, despite its growing market popularity, studies on its light response mechanisms and the effects of different fertilization treatments on its photosynthetic performance have been limited. This gap in knowledge has left many growers in the dark about how to best nourish their trees to maximize productivity and quality.
The study aimed to address this knowledge gap by identifying the most suitable light response curve model for Malus Jinxiu and conducting a comparative analysis of its photosynthetic parameters under various fertilization treatments. The researchers employed a randomized block design, applying four different fertilization treatments to six-year-old dwarf Malus Jinxiu trees grafted onto Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. rootstocks. The treatments ranged from no fertilization to a combination of 1.33 kg of Shilomei macronutrient water-soluble fertilizer and 5.34 kg of organic water-soluble fertilizer.
Using a Li-6800 portable photosynthesis system, the researchers measured the diurnal variation in net photosynthetic rate and the photosynthetic light response curves under each fertilization regime. They found that increasing fertilization levels significantly enhanced the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, with the highest fertilization treatment showing the most pronounced improvements.
“The results suggest that increased fertilization enhances light use efficiency and reveals the response mechanism of Malus Jinxiu photosynthetic parameters to fertilization,” said LI Hengkai, the lead author of the study. “This provides theoretical support for understanding its ecological adaptability and offers a scientific basis for the refinement of fertilization strategies and sustainable orchard management practices.”
The study also compared the performance of four mathematical models—rectangular hyperbola, non-rectangular hyperbola, exponential, and modified rectangular hyperbola—in fitting the light response data. The modified rectangular hyperbola model demonstrated the best overall fit, with the highest fitting accuracy and the most accurate parameter fitting for key photosynthetic parameters such as maximum net photosynthetic rate, light saturation point, and dark respiration rate.
The findings of this study have significant implications for the agriculture sector, particularly for fruit growers looking to optimize their yields and resource use efficiency. By understanding how different nutrient inputs influence photosynthetic efficiency, growers can make more informed decisions about fertilization strategies, leading to improved plant productivity and better resource management.
Moreover, the study’s focus on sustainable land use and biodiversity promotion aligns with the growing global demand for environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible agricultural practices. As the agriculture sector continues to evolve, research like this will be crucial in shaping future developments and ensuring that growers have the tools and knowledge they need to meet the challenges of a changing climate and a growing population.
In the words of LI Hengkai, “This study provides a scientific basis for precise nutrient management and offers theoretical guidance and data support for optimizing cultivation strategies, enhancing plant productivity, and improving resource use efficiency in the context of ecological agriculture.” With these insights, the future of Malus Jinxiu cultivation looks brighter than ever, promising not only economic benefits for growers but also ecological advantages for the regions where it is cultivated.