Effect of formula fertilizers on peach yield, quality, and environmental footprint

Abstract

Peach production in China uses large inputs of mineral fertilizers but lower inputs of organic fertilizers, resulting in decreased peach quality and increased environmental risks. This study investigated the effects of formula fertilizers (combined organic and inorganic fertilizers) on peach yield, quality, and carbon and nitrogen footprints using three peach cultivars in two consecutive years. Two types of formula fertilizers had positive effects on improving the peach yield (5.6–13.6%), single fruit weight (9.0–32.5%), transverse diameter (3.6–13%) and longitudinal diameter (5.4–21.6%). Also, these fertilizers increased soluble solids (7.2–36.6%) and vitamin C (7.1–78%). In addition, the carbon footprint of peach decreased by 37–49%. This study demonstrates the potential of formula fertilizers to achieve balance between peach quality and environmental health.

Keywords:

• Carbon footprint
• formula fertilizer
• nitrogen footprint
• peach
• quality
• yield

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFD1700900 and SQ2023YFD1900103), and Beijing Science and Technology Committee (Z191100004019013).