Aerated Drip Irrigation: A Sustainable Approach to Improving Soil Environment, Crop Growth, Quality, and Yield in Greenhouse Cultivation
摘要
Existing studies have shown that aerated drip irrigation (ADI) effectively alleviates soil hypoxia. However, the factors contributing to the quality improvement and yield enhancement of ADI require further investigation. This study focused on soil physical, chemical, and biological indicators, as well as crop physiological growth indicators, to explore the mechanisms behind the quality improvement and yield enhancement effects of ADI. To explore the influencing factors of improving quality and yield through ADI, this study conducted a randomized block experiment by setting two irrigation methods (A0: Conventional drip irrigation (CDI), A1: ADI), two irrigation rates (W1: 0.6 times of crop evaporation pan coefficient, W2: 1.0 times of crop evaporation pan coefficient), and two nitrogen application levels (N1:225 kg·hm2, N2: 300 kg·hm2). By monitoring physiological growth of chili pepper and soil physical chemical, biological indicators under different treatments. We found that under ADI soil NO3−-N content increased 12.27–30.95%, net photosynthesis (Pn) increased 9.16%-19.03%, leaf area index (LAI) increased 20.15–33.58%, yield increased 40.75%. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that ADI supports physiological growth of chili peppers and enhanced their adaptability under conditions of reduced irrigation and decreased nitrogen application. Structural equation model (SEM) revealed that ADI enhances crop physiological growth by increasing enzyme activity (λ = 0.445, P < 0.001), indirectly boosting yield and fruit quality through improved physiological growth (λ = 0.774, P < 0.001). ADI enhances soil fertility and promotes crop photosynthesis. It is beneficial for the sustainable management of soil and crops in greenhouse cultivation.