Effect of Water-Fertilizer Coupling on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Young Apple Trees

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1.      What is full form of SPAD, give full form in abstract.

2.      Cite the literature in the manuscript as per journal guide line, you can go through the following link-https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy/instructions

3.      Modify the sentence for better suitability “China is the largest country .. 1.9 million ha nationwide in the last five years.” line no 41-44

4.      Mention the cultivation scenario and, economic and nutritional importance of apple in introduction

5.      The paragraph “Besides irrigation…….young apple trees.” line no. 69-90 lacking linkage among the sentences, rewrite for better linkage and flow

6.      Delete the sentences “How to effectively combine …. semi-arid regions of the north.” line. no. 105 -115, you can simply mention why this study conducted here

7.      Improve the quality of figure 1 for better visibility

8.      Table 1 and 2 are ok

9.      Figure 2 is ok

10.  It is better to keep sub-subsection also in Italics

11.  The method and material is well described and written nicely

12.  Please give the table title for table 3, it is better to present the results in the table with mean plus standard error put the letter of significant in superscript form

13.  Reprepare figure 3-7 for better clarity

14.  The result section is written and presented properly

 

15.  The interpretation of the results in the discussion is poor it should be improved, you should be rigorous in ensuring your Discussion starts with a synthesis of your main findings, how they advance knowledge of the subject compared to previous relevant literature and how your results could be taken forward in the future.

16.  Modify conclusion section for better soundness.

  Overall, the manuscript presented in a nice manner, the present study will also open a new avenue to managing water scarcity and optimum fertilizer use for sustainable fruit and vegetable production for the growing global population. The manuscript 

Minor English editing required

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

 

Point 1: What is full form of SPAD, give full form in abstract.

 

Response 1: We have added the full form of SPAD in the abstract. Relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) is a measure of chlorophyll levels in plant leaves. The SPAD value is the result of measurements made using a (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) SPAD meter, which is used to assess the relative concentration of chlorophyll in the leaf.

 

Point 2: Cite the literature in the manuscript as per journal guide line, you can go through the following link-https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy/instructions.

 

Response 2: Yes, you are right. Thank you for your advice, we have cited the literature in the manuscript according to the journal guidelines

 

Point 3: Modify the sentence for better suitability “China is the largest country .. 1.9 million ha nationwide in the last five years.” line no 41-44.

Point 4: Mention the cultivation scenario and, economic and nutritional importance of apple in introduction

 

Response 3 and 4: Thank you for your advice, we have modified the sentence and added the growing of apples, their economic and nutritional importance as well as added another    references.

 

Point 5: The paragraph “Besides irrigation…….young apple trees.” line no. 69-90 lacking linkage among the sentences, rewrite for better linkage and flow.

 

Response 5: Yes, we have rewritten the paragraphs.

 

Point 6: Delete the sentences “How to effectively combine …. semi-arid regions of the north.” line. no. 105 -115, you can simply mention why this study conducted here

 

Response 6:  Thank you for your advice. We have rewritten the whole paragraph.

 

Point 7: Improve the quality of figure 1 for better visibility

 

Response 7: Yes, you are right, we have changed figure 1 to make it clearer.

 

Point 8: Table 1 and 2 are ok.

Point 9: Figure 2 is ok

Response 8 and 9: Thank you very much！

 

Point 10: It is better to keep sub-subsection also in Italics.

 

Response 10: You are right, we have modified the format of the title in the manuscript according to the journal guidelines.

 

Point 11: The method and material is well described and written nicely

Response 13: Thank you very much！

 

Point 12: Please give the table title for table 3, it is better to present the results in the table with mean plus standard error put the letter of significant in superscript form

 

Response 12: You are right, thank you very much for your advice, the table title and the data in the table have been modified according to your advice!

 

Point 13: Reprepare figure 3-7 for better clarity

 

Response 13: Yes, we have changed Figure 3-7 to make it clearer.

 

Point 14: The result section is written and presented properly

 

Response 14: Thank you。

 

Point 15: The interpretation of the results in the discussion is poor it should be improved, you should be rigorous in ensuring your Discussion starts with a synthesis of your main findings, how they advance knowledge of the subject compared to previous relevant literature and how your results could be taken forward in the future.

 

Response 15: Yes, thank you very much for your advice. We have rewritten the sentences in the discussion according to your advice, and we have explained the data we found in detail by comparing it with previous studies and adding references.

 

Point 16: Modify conclusion section for better soundness.

 

Response 16:  Yes, you are right, we have modified the conclusion section to make it more sound.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript discusses an issue that is vital in agriculture and biology.  The methods are adequate. The results and conclusions are correct. Minor comments:

1. The study concerns the investigation of the effect of different water regimes and fertilizers on the growth and physiological characteristics of young apple trees.

2. The topic is relevant and touches on important issues in science and agriculture.

3. Unlike other similar studies, the work includes a wide range of irrigation and fertilizer regimes, as well as the study of a complex of physiological indicators.

4. We ask the authors to specify the number of repetitions (measurements) when analyzing the parameters of apple tree growth.

5. The conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented

and address the main question posed.

 

6. The list of references is adequate.

7. The tables and graphs do not reflect the errors of mean values. This greatly impairs comprehension of the material. 

 

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

 

Point 1: The study concerns the investigation of the effect of different water regimes and fertilizers on the growth and physiological characteristics of young apple trees.

Point 2: The topic is relevant and touches on important issues in science and agriculture. 

Point 3: Unlike other similar studies, the work includes a wide range of irrigation and fertilizer regimes, as well as the study of a complex of physiological indicators.

 

Response 1、2 and 3: Thank you very much！

 

Point 4: We ask the authors to specify the number of repetitions (measurements) when analyzing the parameters of apple tree growth.

 

Response 4: You're right. We have modified the sentence. Our experiments were conducted in a complete combination design with 12 treatments, with three replications of the experiment to measure data, and all treatment combinations were compared in a shelter.

 

Point 5: The conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented and address the main question posed.

Point 6: The list of references is adequate.

 

Response 5 and 6: Thank you very much！

 

Point 7: The tables and graphs do not reflect the errors of mean values. This greatly impairs comprehension of the material. 

 

Response 7: Sorry about that. Thank you very much for your advice, we have added the errors of mean values.

Reviewer 3 Report

I had the opportunity to read and review the manuscript entitled "Effect of water-fertilizer coupling on the growth and physiological characteristics of young apple trees" The manuscript is interesting and original with relevant methodology and arrives at significant results and conclusions. The study attempts to explore the effect of the interaction of drip irrigation and fertilization, including four levels of irrigation and three levels of fertilization on young apple tree growth and physiological characteristics. The author carried out two-year bucket experiments on young apple trees at the Agricultural Engineering Experiment Center in the semi-humid and semi-arid region of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China. Results showed that water-fertilizer coupling significantly increased leaf SPAD, water use efficiency, and water consumption. The F1W2 treatment, which controlled soil moisture and N-P2O5-K2O levels, was found to be the best coupling mode for young apple trees in semi-arid areas of northern China. This approach could help improve the growth and productivity of young apple trees.  The study certainly represents an important contribution to the knowledge and is worth publishing. The title is attractive and matches the content. The abstract is clear, reasonable, and easy to understand. Keywords: keywords correspond to the aims and objectives of the manuscript. Introduction: Introduction: Although there is a good background on the research topic, it needs improvement. Results and Discussion are clear and sufficient to interpret and easy to understand. However, there are some comments on the following:

Abstract #L 15: Change "reasonable irrigation and fertilization system of young apple trees" to "reasonable irrigation and fertilization systems for young apple trees".

Introduction

#L 45: Change "Moreover, apples are also one of the most important cash crops in China, which playing an important role in increasing farmers' income (Wang et al., 2016). To "Moreover, apples are also one of the most important cash crops in China, having a role in increasing farmers' income (Wang et al., 2016).

#L 73: "-- fruit yield using moderate moderate levels of N and K fertilizer amounts." Delete repeated word #L 96: "different water and fertilizer" correct to "different water and fertilizers". #In the introduction section, indicate the meaning of water productivity (WP), and water use efficiency (WUE).

Material and Methods:

#The resolution of Fig. 1 requires improvement. Show the data clearly in the figure by using bold and black font. In addition, I suggest using a different program/method to save the image of figures.

#Delete the spaces above the table 1.

#Align the column of the soil property left. #In Table 1" Field capacity soil moisture" Delete soil moisture.

#In Table 2, extend columns to show data in the same row. Consider the horizontal data.

#L 198: Check the equation of the leaf area and the unit. Please put a reference for this equation.

Results

#L 294: Level significant --- significant level

#L312: "under to F2 and F3". Delete "to" #Improve the format of the title and notes in Tables. Place the table title at the top of the table and notes below. Make sure there is no shifting. #Correct in titles of Tables 4, 5, and 6. Effect of different irrigation and fertilizer application" To "Effect of different irrigation and fertilizer applications.

References L 814: Make sure to use the proper style for the author's names.

The authors examined different levels of fertilization under different conditions compared with other related articles.  

They illustrate the growth conditions and soil properties. The authors used appropriate methodology.  

L 118 I suggest the authors use “pot/bucket experiment instead of field experiment”   

I suggest the authors mention the steps of soil preparation.   

The conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented.  

The references are appropriate and relevant to the subject of the manuscript

 

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

There are minor mistakes in grammar and language. Consider the spaces between words.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 3 Comments

 

Point 1: #L 15: Change "reasonable irrigation and fertilization system of young apple trees" to "reasonable irrigation and fertilization systems for young apple trees".

 

Response 1: Yes, it is. We have changed the sentence.

 

Point 2: #L 45: Change "Moreover, apples are also one of the most important cash crops in China, which playing an important role in increasing farmers' income (Wang et al., 2016). To "Moreover, apples are also one of the most important cash crops in China, having a role in increasing farmers' income (Wang et al., 2016).

 

Response 2: You are right. We have changed the sentence.

 

Point 3: #L 73: "-- fruit yield using moderate moderate levels of N and K fertilizer amounts." Delete repeated word

 

Response 3: You are right. It was a mistake, sorry about that.

 

Point 4: #L 96: "different water and fertilizer" correct to "different water and fertilizers"

 

Response 4: Yes, you are right. We have modified the sentence.

 

Point 5: #In the introduction section, indicate the meaning of water productivity (WP), and water use efficiency (WUE).

 

Response 5: We have modified the sentences, added the meaning of water productivity (WP), and water use efficiency (WUE) in the abstract, and added another reference.

 

Point 6: #The resolution of Fig. 1 requires improvement. Show the data clearly in the figure by using bold and black font. In addition, I suggest using a different program/method to save the image of figures.

 

Response 6: You are right, thank you for your advice, we have changed Fig. 1 to make it clearer.

 

Point 7: #Delete the spaces above the table 1

Point 8: #Align the column of the soil property left.

Point 9: #In Table 1" Field capacity soil moisture" Delete soil moisture.

 

Response 7、8 and 9: Yes, Thank you for your advice. We have changed the format and content of Table 1 according to your advice.

 

Point 10: #In Table 2, extend columns to show data in the same row. Consider the horizontal data.

 

Response 10: You are right. We have remade Table 2 .

 

Point 11: #L 198: Check the equation of the leaf area and the unit. Please put a reference for this equation.

 

Response 11: Thank you, 'equation of the leaf area and the unit' is right, and we added another reference.

 

Point 12: #L 294: Level significant --- significant level

 

Response 12: Yes, you are right.

 

Point 13: #L312: "under to F2 and F3". Delete "to"

 

Response 13: You are right! It was a mistake, sorry about that.

 

Point 14: #Improve the format of the title and notes in Tables. Place the table title at the top of the table and notes below. Make sure there is no shifting.

 

Response 14: Thanks to your suggestion, we have modified the formatting of the title and notes in Tables.

 

Point 15:#Correct in titles of Tables 4, 5, and 6. Effect of different irrigation and fertilizer application" To "Effect of different irrigation and fertilizer applications.

 

Response 15: You are right, it was a mistake, we have modified the sentences.

 

Point 16: References L 814: Make sure to use the proper style for the author's names.

 

Response 16: Yes, we have modified the format according to the journal guidelines.

 

Point 17: The authors examined different levels of fertilization under different conditions compared with other related articles.

 

Response 17: Thank you.

 

Point 18: L 118 I suggest the authors use “pot/bucket experiment instead of field experiment”

 

Response 18: Thank you for your advice, we have changed the sentences.

 

Point 19: I suggest the authors mention the steps of soil preparation.

 

Response 19: Thank you for your advice, we have modified the sentences. Our experiments were carried out in a bucket, and the experiment soil was cinnamon soil, which was naturally air-dried and broken up, passed through a 5 mm mesh sieve, and mixed well after removing impurities, and each bucket was filled with 30 kg of soil, with a filling capacity of 1.31 g cm^-³.

 

Point 20: The conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented. The references are appropriate and relevant to the subject of the manuscript

 

Response 20:  Thank you very much.