Journal Article

Effects of the Combined Application of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Under Drip Irrigation on the Yield and Quality of Winter Wheat

Jiang, Yulei, Zhao, Changxing, Long, Siqi, Qiu, Jie, Zhang, Han, Gao, Guolong, Duan, Yuyang

2026

Overview

A two-year field experiment was conducted to clarify the regulatory effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) combined with drip fertigation on the yield, yield components, and grain quality of winter wheat in lime concretion black soil (Calcaric Cambisols). The objective was to screen a sustainable fertilization model for coordinating high yield and quality in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. An L16(43) orthogonal design was adopted to investigate yield, protein content, wet gluten, test weight (TW), and grain hardness. Range analysis and ANOVA were used to evaluate factor effects and interactions. The results showed that N was the dominant factor affecting yield and quality (Rank 1), followed by K (Rank 2), while P showed the weakest effect. Compared to the control (N0P0K0), the optimized N–P–K combination increased grain yield by an average of 315.0% and enhanced grain crude protein by 55.3% over the two seasons. The optimal combination for maximum yield was N170P30K120 (kg/ha), which optimized the source–sink relationship by balancing spike density and 1000-grain weight. High N (220 kg/ha) combined with low P and high K achieved the best nutritional quality. The 3D response surface analysis confirmed significant synergistic interactions between N–K and N–P in promoting grain filling and protein synthesis. Rational NPK drip fertigation, particularly when synchronized with critical growth stages (jointing and grain filling), can simultaneously enhance grain yield and quality in this soil type. The optimized combination provides theoretical support and a robust fertilization strategy for green and efficient wheat production in the region.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Agricultural production / Crop production / Crop yield / drip fertigation / Drip irrigation / Fertigation / Fertilization / Fertilizer application / Fertilizers / Fourier transforms / Gluten / Grain / grain quality / Irrigation / Mechanical properties / Metabolism / Nitrogen / NPK combined fertilization / Nutrient content / Nutrients / Nutritive value / Phosphorus / Physiology / Potassium / Productivity / Protein biosynthesis / Protein synthesis / Proteins / Response surface methodology / Software / Soil lime / Soil types / Soils / Source-sink relationships / source–sink relationship / Surface analysis (chemical) / Variance analysis / Weight / Wheat / Wheat industry / Winter wheat / winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) / yield components