Liwei Fei  ,  Lihua Xiao ,  Ying Zhang ,  Yuanjie Dong ,  Runqiang Liu ,  Chuan Zhong ,  Mingrong He,Xinglong Dai

Abstract 

Wide-precision planting has been introduced to wheat production systems in China to improve grain yield. However, the effects of wide-precision planting on wheat yield, nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE), and water productivity (WP) have not yet been comprehensively evaluated. A meta-analysis was conducted using 699 observations from 79 studies to quantify the contributions of wide-precision planting to wheat yield, NUE, and WP. Compared with conventional-cultivation planting, wide-precision planting increased wheat yield by 9.9 %, NUE by 9.3 %, and WP by 4.8 %. Soil conditions had the greatest importance on wheat yield, NUE, and WP under wide-precision planting, particularly suitable soil organic matter and available potassium. Fertilizer factors also influenced the wheat's comprehensive productivity under wide-precision planting. The random forest regression model revealed that more attention should be paid to the application of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers in wheat production. Additionally, wide-precision planting under high mean annual precipitation (> 600 mm) and medium mean annual temperature (10–13℃) more easily coordinated improvements in yield, NUE and WP. In conclusion, wide-precision planting can significantly increase wheat comprehensive productivity. Considering the factors of climate, soil fertility and different fertilizers, the study holds novel insights for informing the widespread adoption of wide-precision planting practices in wheat production.

Paper Linkage:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109869