Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 218-227 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 222 targeted manner (Hassan et al., 2021). Predictive models can also be used in the "digital twin" system of agriculture, which can help farmers make arrangements in advance by simulating different situations and improve the sustainable development of agriculture (Maraveas, 2022). 6 Case Study of Bayberry in Southeast China 6.1 Background and context: region profile and challenges before intervention Southeast China, especially Zhejiang and Fujian, is an important region for growing bayberry (Ren et al., 2013). Before the introduction of precision fertilization and regulation technology, orchards in these areas encountered many problems. For example, bayberry has a long young fruit period and matures late. Sometimes the fruit setting rate is very low or even no fruit is produced. Traditional management methods cannot solve these problems, but make the situation worse. The fruit quality is unstable, the size varies greatly, and the sugar-acid ratio is not good. These problems limit the yield and affect the market value. 6.2 Implementation of integrated precision fertilization and regulation approach To improve these conditions, the local government began to use a comprehensive approach to manage bayberry orchards. This approach includes many practices, such as spraying plant growth regulators, scientific pruning, thinning out excess fruits, retaining low branches, introducing pollinators, scientific fertilization, soil cultivation, and good pest and disease control. The use of plant growth regulators and improved fertilization plans aims to make nutrient supply more in line with the needs of bayberry at different growth stages (Figure 3). Pruning and canopy management help to make sunlight more even and distribute nutrients more reasonably. Arranging pollinators and good pest and disease management help improve the overall health of the tree and promote normal fruit growth (Lei, 2014). Figure 3 Conceptual graph to elucidate effects of chemical N fertilizer reduction on soil properties, soil quality index (SQI), and fruit yield and quality (Adopted from Chen et al., 2025) 6.3 Results: improvements in fruit size, sugar-acid ratio, and yield consistency After adopting precision fertilization and regulation methods, the yield of bayberry has increased significantly. The fruiting condition in the orchard is better, the fruit is larger, and the yield each season is more stable. The optimization of plant growth regulators and nutritional management has improved the quality of the fruit and the ratio of sugar and acid is more appropriate. At the same time, scientific pruning and crown management have improved the uniformity of the fruit and strengthened the production capacity of the entire orchard, solving the problem of low fruit yield and large differences (Zeng et al., 2017). 7 Environmental and Economic Impacts 7.1 Reduction in fertilizer waste and nitrate leaching Precision fertilization, especially variable rate fertilization, can greatly reduce fertilizer waste and nitrate loss. This method arranges fertilizer application according to the actual situation of different areas in the field, rather than spreading it evenly. This not only reduces the amount of fertilizer applied, but also allows fertilizer to be absorbed by plants more effectively, while reducing the risk of nitrogen fertilizer entering the environment. Studies have found that compared with traditional fertilization methods, the use of precision fertilization technology can reduce nitrogen fertilizer use by up to 19%, greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced by about 13.6%, and energy
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